Tiff Labargan’s 6-RBI explosion powers La Salle past Ateneo in UAAP Softball

DE LA SALLE University cruised to its second consecutive win to remain in solo third in the UAAP Season 87 Softball Tournament, using a powerful six-run third inning to dispatch Ateneo de Manila University, 9-1, in four and one-half innings on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Tiffany Labargan powered the Lady Batters to an even 3-3 win-loss record, placing them just behind the idle University of the Philippines (4-1) ahead of their crucial showdown on Saturday at 10 a.m.

The second-year third baseman delivered a perfect three-out-of-three performance and drove in six RBIs, helping De La Salle achieve back-to-back wins for the first time since Season 81. This victory followed their thrilling 6-5 upset of the University of Santo Tomas last Saturday.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“Ang sinabi ko lang talaga is huwag i-underestimate ‘tong Ateneo. Kumbaga, kailangang lumaban talaga at ipakita lahat ng galing at hindi magkumpyansa. At least nanalo, kahit hindi more runs ‘yung nagawa,” said head coach Jasper Cabrera.

“Ang importante talaga is ‘tong UP kasi may chance pa kami eh. ‘Pag ma-straight namin ‘tong UP at Adamson, hindi natin masabi, baka makapasok pa kami sa Finals,” the veteran mentor added.

Labargan and the Lady Batters gradually built their lead with three runs in the first two innings before breaking the game open in the third. This mirrored their first-round encounter with Ateneo, where they erupted for 17 runs in the opening inning.

April Rose Gonzales ignited the third-inning onslaught before four consecutive hits from Glecilyn Alipato, Jazmin Visaya, Julianne Moral, and Jeryll Duller paved the way for five more runs, extending De La Salle’s lead to 8-0. Cassandra Inot and Labargan capped off the scoring spree with the ninth run, effectively sealing their third win of the season.

This result surpassed the two total wins De La Salle collected in the two previous seasons (Seasons 85 and 86) since the league’s return from the COVID-19 hiatus.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Alipato also earned the win on the mound, anchoring the Lady Batters’ defense across three innings while limiting Ateneo to just two hits — one from Andrea Daquigan in the second inning and another from Noelle Franco in the fourth. Joerjette Jordan then closed out the game, retiring three batters in order, including a strikeout of Fiona Baguiwet.

Franco’s fourth-inning hit resulted in Ateneo’s lone run, as she crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly to center field by Ashlee Tuprio.

Jessica Daquigan endured her fifth consecutive loss after surrendering five hits and six runs in that pivotal third inning.

Still winless at 0-6, Ateneo faces a daunting task against reigning champions Adamson University (5-0) on Saturday at 8 a.m.