LAST season’s finalist University of the Philippines shook off a gallant stand from De La Salle University to open the UAAP Season 86 Softball Tournament on a winning note, 5-1, on Saturday at the UP Baseball Field in Diliman, Quezon City.
The Fighting Maroons leaned on their timely hits to ultimately score in four of the six innings the side played on offense, starting with a two-RBI single from second-year catcher Reuel Caogdan that scored RP Blu Girl member Danica Aquino and Season 85 Athlete of the Year Nickole Dela Cruz.
Down 0-4, the Lady Green Batters took one back in the sixth inning as centerfielder Julian Moral pounced on the free base she was given and scored off a huge triple from third baseman Cassandra Ynot.
That turned out be to De La Salle’s only score as the last year’s runner-up returned to their defense at the top of the seventh.
Second-year pitcher Kacelyn Valino, though, went back to her solid pitching to anchor the defense in a no-relief job to seal the win for the Fighting Maroons. The 22-year-old native of Bulacan ended with 13 strikeouts, two of which came in the last three outs of the game.
“Matagal pa ‘tong season, but we’re happy that we got this win. Good thing, ‘yung pitcher ko hindi bumigay at nag-work ‘yung mga combination ko ng tao inside,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.
It will be UP’s turn to take a bye on Wednesday as reigning 10-time titleholders Adamson University makes its debut this season against University of Santo Tomas that day at 3 p.m.
UST, overwhelming winners over Ateneo de Manila University, 13-0 (abbr. 5th), in the second game of the day, joined UP on top of the leaderboard.
The Tiger Softbelles turned it notches higher in the fourth and fifth innings scoring four runs in each of the said innings to put up a statement win ahead of its clash against idle reigning champions Adamson Lady Falcons.
UST second baseman Lyca Blanco ended with a perfect 4-on-4 hitting to fuel the side’s offensive explosion while returning senior Charlotte Sales added two hits and three runs in the rousing debut.
Fil-Chinese pitcher Chang Chih-Ling and national upstart Royevel Palma connived for the no-hitter shutout against the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo and La Salle face each other for a breakthrough win at 5 p.m., also on Wednesday.
The Lines:
First Game:
DLSU 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 3 3
UP 2 0 0 1 1 1 X – 5 7 0
Second Game:
UST 2 0 3 4 4 X X – 13 13 1
Ateneo 0 0 0 0 0 X X – 0 0 3
