Erika Fernandez goes out with a bang, leads UST to UAAP softball bronze

Erika Fernandez saved her best game for last, delivering a masterful performance in her farewell appearance to help University of Santo Tomas secure the UAAP Season 87 softball bronze medal with a hard-fought 8-7 victory over De La Salle University, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

This marks the Tiger Softbelles’ third consecutive third-place finish, and fittingly, it was Fernandez who powered them to victory.

She had a stellar three-hit outing, including a home run in the first inning that set the tone for the game.

With fellow graduating senior Lyca Blanco already making solid contact against La Salle starter Joerjette Jordan, Fernandez seized the moment, perfectly timing a pitch and sending the ball deep into right field beyond the reach of Glecilyn Alipato for a two-run homer.

The Tanauan City native, who honed her skills at the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, continued her offensive onslaught with two more hits in the fourth and sixth innings. She also notched another RBI in the fourth, driving in Blanco for an additional run.

De La Salle made a determined push in the bottom of the seventh, cutting the deficit to just one run at 8-7. However, UST’s substitute pitcher Celine Chang took control, swiftly handling two short fly balls.

The former Chinese Taipei U18 standout then delivered the final out, inducing a fly ball to Jazmin Visaya, which last season’s Rookie of the Year, Helga Campos, effortlessly caught to seal the win.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“We know we can beat La Salle. We have the advantages, we have the pitchers, and mostly ‘yung mga batters namin. So, medyo alalay lang sa mga bata, kampante naman ako,” said longtime UST head coach Sandy Barredo.

“Kita mo sa first inning four runs agad, then may mga lapses, remind lang uli. Pati sa pitchers, gano’n din. Nire-remind ko lang kung anong gagawin; ‘pag nagco-collapse, may bagong pitcher. Gano’n lang.”

Campos also had a strong outing at the plate, delivering two doubles, the first of which drove in Jojielyn Lim and rookie Anne Patricio for two RBIs in the four-run opening inning. Patricio contributed as well, launching a home run in the third inning that brought both her and Lim across the plate.

Despite finishing in fourth place, La Salle put up a valiant fight, led by second-year standout Tiffany Labargan.

A product of Dasmariñas Integrated High School, Labargan recorded two crucial hits, including a two-RBI single in the third inning that trimmed the deficit to 4-3 by bringing Jeryll Duller and Cassandra Inot home. She later added another clutch hit in the seventh, keeping La Salle within striking distance at 8-7.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

However, UST’s defense held firm, shaking off Labargan’s late-game heroics and turning their focus to securing the final out — an effort capped by Campos’ decisive catch.

Joining Fernandez and Blanco in rounding the bases for UST were Angel Bedaño, Blanco’s sister Teresa, and Royeve Palma, the younger sister of former UST and current RP Blu Girls pitcher Royevel Palma.

Barredo expressed gratitude to his graduating players while looking ahead to rebuilding the team for a top-two finish in future seasons.

“May mga darating. Actually, ‘yung mga recruited ko ayaw; pero may mga gusto naman na dumating. Pero five ‘yung mawawala, tapos may tatlo pa namang reserve ako to fill the lineup. So, makakuha lang tatlo, o OK na na apat o lima, para ma-shuffle ko ‘yung lineup namin,” Barredo said.