La Salle snaps six-year skid vs UST in UAAP Softball thriller

For the first time in six years, De La Salle University finally broke free from UST’s dominance, eking out a dramatic 6-5 victory in the UAAP Season 87 Softball Tournament, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Lady Batters had endured seven consecutive losses to the Tiger Softbelles since their last triumph in Season 81 — a commanding 7-0 win back on March 18, 2019.

But this time, fueled by a late-game rally, La Salle defied the odds and claimed a breakthrough win that moved them into a share of third place with UST at a 2-3 record.

“Buti naman, naka-hold din. Nag-error din kasi kami kaya sila naka-score. Gusto namin ma-hold ‘yung three runs, kaso nag-error pa tayo,” said head coach Jasper Cabrera.

“Hindi rin namin maiwasan kasi may apat kaming mga rookies na hindi ma-control ‘yung naramdaman. Tapos ‘yung walk ng UST dahil sa walk rin ng pitcher. Pero buti naka-recover naman,” he admitted.

“Nung nag-timeout ako (nung last inning), pinatay ko lang ‘yung rally nila. At sinabi kong, ‘Dalawang out na lang ito.’ Pinapagalit ko na nga, sinabi ko, ‘Gusto niyo ba talagang manalo? Four years na tayong hindi nananalo sa UST.’ Kaya nakita ko naman na lumaban at talagang uhaw sa panalo.”

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

With former ace pitcher Jemica Arribas — the pitcher who steered the Lady Batters during the Season 81 win — watching from the sidelines, La Salle avenged its earlier 1-5 loss to UST in the first round.

Fueled by that earlier heartbreak, the Lady Batters turned the tide in the second inning, breaking a 3-all deadlock with three decisive runs to build a 6-3 cushion. Clarina Eder played a crucial role, driving in her second hit of the day.

The rookie left-fielder sent a single to the right foul line, where Angela Solidarios struggled to recover the ball, allowing Cassandra Inot and Tiffany Labargan to cross the plate.

Eder then capitalized on a broken play at home to extend the lead to three runs, which ultimately proved to be the winning margin.

Joerjette Jordan was vital on the mound, securing her second win despite giving up two runs to UST in the fourth inning, including a home run from Angel Bedaño. The second-year ace from Ormoc City kept the Softbelles at bay, limiting them to just two hits in the final frame.

La Salle will aim for a back-to-back win against Ateneo (0-4) on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the same venue in Malate.

UST had a golden opportunity to stage a comeback, reminiscent of their first-round turnaround, but Bedaño’s solo homer in the fourth and an Aiza Gancias run were not enough to erase La Salle’s lead.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Chang Chihling stepped in to replace rookie Mary Jane Beronilla on the mound but couldn’t rescue the Softbelles. Although Chang closed the first inning with an out, she surrendered three unearned runs in the second inning and allowed two more hits in the sixth, sealing UST’s fate.

The Tiger Softbelles will face defending champions Adamson Lady Falcons (4-0) earlier on Tuesday at 8:00 AM, also at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.