University of Santo Tomas continued its strong run in the UAAP Season 88 Softball Tournament, needing just five innings to eliminate Ateneo de Manila University from contention, 10–3, and claim a share of the lead on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Tiger Softbelles joined the UP Fighting Maroons —who earlier edged the DLSU Lady Batters, 2–1 — at the top of the standings with identical 4–1 records.
Both teams are half a game ahead of the idle defending champions Adamson Lady Falcons in this tournament also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Three more games and one more win, papasok kami sa championship. Mas masarap La Salle kalaban, masarap din kalaban yung UP. Yung Adamson, given na yun,” said long-time Tiger Softbelles head coach Sandy Barredo.
UST will take a Tuesday break before returning to action on Saturday next week, when it faces La Salle, UP, and Adamson in succession to close out its elimination round campaign.
The Tiger Softbelles’ offense proved dominant against Ateneo, pounding out 10 hits in the contest.
Right fielder Anna Rose Macatbag sparked UST in the opening inning, delivering a two-RBI single that drove in Gen Degollacion and Helga Campos to give the Tiger Softbelles an early 3–1 lead.
Designated player Degollacion finished 2-for-2 with two RBIs, while shortstop Campos and third baseman Aiza Ganziar added an RBI each.
On the mound, Barredo rotated three pitchers, with ace Celine Chang working just 1.1 innings. Chang struck out two while allowing three hits.
Sheilla Sicor pitched the next two innings and fanned one Ateneo batter, before Shanna Europa closed out the game with two strikeouts.
“Nakasalalay lahat ng ito sa pitcher namin, si Celine. Kung makukundisyon si Celine, mahihirapan sila sa amin,” said Barredo.
“Kundisyon siya ng UP. Yun yung hinihintay ko sa kanya. Magva-vary na lang ito sa opensa,” he added, recalling their 5–1 win over the Fighting Maroons to close out the opening round.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Ateneo will face La Salle next on Tuesday.
Katrice Ditchon absorbed the loss for Ateneo, while third baseman Czelle Basa accounted for two of the Blue Eagles’ three runs in the contest.
| Teams | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ateneo | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | – | – | 3 | 5 | 7 |
| UST | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | – | – | 10 | 7 | 0 |
