University of the Philippines, last season’s silver medalist, snapped out of a two-game skid with a shutout 5-0 victory over De La Salle University at the start of the second round of eliminations in the UAAP Season 86 Softball tournament on Wednesday at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.
The Fighting Maroons moved up to 3-2 following the season sweep of the Lady Green Batters ahead of its rematch with idle, undefeated Adamson University (4-0).
Meanwhile, the latter slipped to a 1-4 win-loss slate.
“Maganda na nakuha ulit namin ‘tong momentum going into Adamson. ‘Yung losses namin sa UST and Adamson, kahit rin sa other teams, breaks of the game lang. So sana makuha namin ‘yung break on Saturday,” said UP head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.
Two huge offensive innings were enough for the home side, capitalizing on a huge fourth inning for the final count.
Third baseman Jamm’n Rasco started it with a huge hit to the middle. Then catcher Reuel Caoagdan got first base on an error by DLSU first baseman Angelica Notarte.
Two more hits – huge triples – from Algrace Adajar and Martine Francisco scored three to extend a 2-0 lead to 5-0.
Fighting Maroons pitcher KC Valino toyed with a perfect game until the fourth inning.
Lady Green Batters’ lead-off Labargan broke through with a hit that forced an error on UP’s first baseman Francisco.
Valino, the 22-year-old product of San Miguel National High School, though, still ended with the shutout despite allowing a solitary hit from Gonzales in the fifth.
On the other hand, Francisco still pulled through with the best hitting clip for UP with two hits on three at-bats.
University of Santo Tomas remained second at 4-1, thanks to a 10-2 sixth-inning abbreviated victory against Ateneo de Manila University.
Shortstop Helga Campos laced a solid outing for the Tiger Softbelles with a 2-of-3 batting clip that included an inside-the-park solo home run, scoring twice as well in the game.
Designated player Lyca Blanco continued to impress offensively, putting up three hits on four at-bats.
Meanwhile, Eiree Baladjay provided stability on the mound for the side’s third consecutive win.
The Lines:
Ateneo 0 1 1 0 0 0 x – 2 3 1
UST 1 5 1 0 0 3 x – 10 14 0
UP 2 0 0 3 0 0 0 – 5 7 2
DLSU 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 2 4
