THE UST Tiger Softbelles suffered their second loss after falling short against the UP Fighting Maroons, 4-1, in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 softball tournament at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on Saturday, March 23.
Despite dropping to a 5-2 win-loss record, UST remained in second place, while UP improved to a 4-3 tally.
The Tiger Softbelles committed a season-high five errors, resulting in three unearned runs en route to the loss.
“Siguro nag-root ‘yong errors sa decision-making and madami kasing defensive errors na unearned runs talaga ang pumasok,” UST assistant head coach Esmeralda Tayag told the Varsitarian. “Kung talagang walang errors, dikit talaga ‘yon.”
UP gained an early lead in the top of the first inning after a Jammin Rasco RBI double plated Danica Aquino, 1-0.
In the fourth inning, Shyla Celis squared up KC Valino’s fastball for a double and advanced Jojielyn Lim to third base.
However, Christine Bautista and Helga Campos hit consecutive fly outs to strand the tying and go-ahead runs on base.
In the fifth inning, UST’s Royevel Palma walked Ricca Vispo to load the bases, while a subsequent error by Charlotte Sales ignited three UP runs courtesy of Generose Torremocha, Danica Aquino and Ricca Vispo, 4-0.
UST tried to come back in the bottom of the ninth after multiple errors by UP advanced Lyca Blanco and Aiza Ganciar in scoring positions, which eventually sent Campos home, 4-1. Erika Fernandez grounded out to second to end the game in favor of UP.
“Kung gusto namin talagang mag finals, must-win game ‘yung sa Adamson,” Tayag said. “So kailangan talagang ipanalo against Adamson.”
The UST Tiger Softbelles will look to clinch a finals spot against the unbeaten Adamson Lady Falcons (7-0) at the same venue on April 3, Wednesday, at 5 p.m.
