March 14, 2015, 6:12 p.m. – THE UST Tiger Softbelles
suffered a major defensive breakdown in the last two innings as the University
of the Philippines hacked out a 7-4 decision in their second seed playoff at
the UAAP Season 77 softball tournament in Rizal Memorial Stadium Saturday.
The loss placed UST at third seed, giving up a twice-to-beat
advantage to the Lady Maroons going into the Final Four.
The Tiger Softbelles squandered a 3-0 lead in the third
inning after committing consecutive errors, paving they way for a five-run
fifth inning for UP.
Tied at 3 at the bottom of the fifth, the Tiger Softbelles’
catching woes continued to haunt them as Lady Maroon Sella Mendoza and Gelai
Penales scored back-to-back runs via Chanty Bongat’s two runs batted in (RBI).
UST was within reach, 4-5, after softbelle Jonalie Almonia
took advantage of the catching error of UP’s third baseman and stole the home
plate in the sixth inning.
But the Lady Maroons continued their offensive roll as
Dennisse Cruz and Gabin Paz added another pair of runs courtesy of Maki
Cabriana’s right field hits.
UST had a last chance to come back in the final inning, but
UP pitcher Cochise Diolata allowed only a single hit from the Tiger Softbelles,
whose four-game winning run came to a halt.
“Bumitaw. Ang daming mga errors na sunod-sunod. ‘Yung
pitching, na-check na and na-pressure ‘yung mga rookies, ‘yung short stop at
second base,” said head coach Sandy Barredo.
UST will face National University on March 18, 10 a.m., in
the same venue to start the stepladder Final Four. Delfin Ray M. Dioquino
