University of the Philippines set up a clash for the final UAAP Season 88 Softball Finals berth against University of Santo Tomas after dismantling Ateneo de Manila University, 16-1, in just four innings on the penultimate day of eliminations, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Fighting Maroons will take on the Tiger Softbelles on Saturday at 9:00 AM in their last elimination round assignment. The winner will advance to face reigning 12-time champions Adamson University Lady Falcons in the championship series.
Adamson had earlier secured its 11th consecutive Finals appearance by defeating UST, 3-0. The Lady Falcons captured the first two titles of their long reign via 10-0 sweeps in the elimination rounds.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP, aiming for a fourth straight Finals appearance, unleashed a barrage of big hits in the second inning and never looked back. Fourth-year standout Danica Aquino highlighted the team’s dominance with an inside-the-park home run.
Jaja Pascual could have recorded the Maroons’ first official home run of the season in the same inning, but it was nullified after she passed preceding runner Sathia Romero-Salas on the way to second base. The two RBIs still counted, as Drel Gonzales and Romero-Salas crossed home plate to extend the lead to four.
After an hour-long discussion regarding Pascual’s play, Aquino responded with a line drive down the right-field line for a solo home run — the senior left fielder’s only hit of the game.
“Nasa padulo na tayo ng tournament, so ang pinaghahandaan din talaga namin ay ‘yung last game against UST. Ito kasi ang ginamit din namin as preparation para do’n sa last game. So, hopefully, lahat mag-deliver do’n sa last game,” said head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.
“Big lesson sa’min talaga ‘yung mga mistakes namin nung nakaraang laro namin against Adamson. Ready naman sila; it’s part of the game, eh, may nagkakamali. Hopefully, maka-recover lang. Ika nga, you learn from your mistakes, and it’s part of the game,” added the fifth-year mentor.
Generose Torremocha and Laica Atlas each contributed for two innings, combining for one hit and two RBIs apiece as the sixth batter of the Maroons’ lineup. Pascual still finished with three RBIs from a single and a sacrifice hit.
Diane Pasco earned the win despite allowing a lone earned run in the second inning for Ateneo on four hits. Joy Laurente closed the game, holding the Blue Eagles scoreless on a single hit in the final two innings.
Pagkaliwagan emphasized that the key to winning the crucial playoff against UST lies in execution.
“Gusto ko lang makita ‘yung talagang laro ng taga-UP na lahat ibinibigay. And sa tingin ko naman lahat ‘to magde-deliver this coming Saturday, kasi talaga namang nag-prepare kami for this game,” he said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The Blue Eagles made one last push in the second inning, breaking through Pasco’s defense with two hits and a run. Jeanne Yap hit a slow grounder to the middle for a triple and later scored on a single from Marvelous Romano.
Katipunan-based Ateneo added three more hits, including one from graduating senior Rizellejoy Bulatao, but UP’s defense ultimately held firm for the win. Bulatao and Ashlee Tuprio rounded the bases one final time for the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo, which has yet to register a win since Season 85, closed the season with an 0-8 record — marking its 16th straight defeat.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UP | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 6 | x | x | 16 | 11 | 3 |
| Ateneo | 1 | x | x | 1 | 5 | 4 |
