UST forces share of lead in UAAP Softball with stunning win over UP

University of Santo Tomas capitalized on its opportunities to hand previously-undefeated University of the Philippines its first defeat of the UAAP Season 88 Softball tournament, 5–1, on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Tiger Softbelles’ victory forced a share of the provisional lead with the Fighting Maroons at a 3–1 win-loss record, pending the outcome of the final game of the round between Adamson University (2–1) and De La Salle University (1–2).

The result was particularly stunning after UP had just pulled off a 6–3 victory over reigning 12-time champion Adamson last Saturday. It was also UST’s first win over the Fighting Maroons since March 6, 2024, during their first meeting in Season 86.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

UST struck first in the third inning when Gen Degollacion drove Erika Fernandez home with a sacrifice fly to right field. Two more runs in the fifth inning proved decisive: rookie Annarose Macatbag notched her second hit of the game, then fellow newcomer Jaime Bueza followed with an RBI to send her home.

“Wala namang naging difference kasi pati mga rookies ko nag-deliver eh, kaya lang hindi nila ginamit ‘yung number one pitcher nila. ‘Yun ang ini-expect ko; ini-expect ko na sandali lang uuwi na ako, pero ewan ko, bumaligtad ang laro. And ayan, nanalo. Maganda ang pinakita ng mga bata,” said long-time head coach Sandy Barredo.

Rookies Macatbag and Bueza answered their coach’s call for more effort, with Macatbag finishing with three hits and Bueza contributing two hits and two RBIs. Degollacion also added two RBIs, including the sacrifice fly in the third and a double that drove in Helga Campos in the sixth.

However, it was the stellar pitching of Celine Chang that proved crucial. The third-year hurler held the usually potent UP offense to just three hits, throwing a complete-game effort while allowing only one unearned run in the seventh inning.

“Na-scout ko lang din kung paano sila pumalo, lalo na ‘yung mga big hitters nila. Alam mo namang sa bakod pupunta ‘yan, so abangan mo na. Plus ‘yung (Jamm’n) Rasco, walang palo — ‘yung magaling nilang pumalo pero hindi nakatama. ‘Yung mga inexpect kong tatama, pero hindi sila nag-deliver,” Barredo said.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

After recording nine hits against Adamson, UP managed only three against Chang, scattered across the game. Angel Pascual’s second hit in the seventh drove in the lone UP run.

With Pascual on base following a double to right field, Nickole Dela Cruz forced an error on UST second baseman Ryza Zafra to bring one back.

UP had a chance to add more with bases loaded for Erika Ocampo and two outs, but the Tiger Softbelles shut the door. Jojielyn Lim secured the long fly out to complete the upset.