UST ALMOST fell short of bagging the UAAP overall title for the third straight season until the Tiger Softbelles saved the day.
The school thus captured its 40th UAAP general championship, which almost slipped away due to De La Salle University's strong performance. La Salle worked its way up the ladder with three of its teams reaching the finals of their respective events.
Not if the Tiger Softbelles could help it.
As the last UST team playing, they had immense pressure on their shoulders. Things were not looking great for them at the beginning of the second round after they fell to sixth place with a 3-5 win-loss record. La Salle's softball team was sitting comfortably in second place with a 6-2 card.
Tiger Softbelles head coach Sandy Barredo knew his wards had their work cut out for them, and emphasize the urgency to deliver for UST.
“Ang sinasabi ko sa kanila, buhat natin ‘yung UST," he said. "Maganda ‘yung i-share ko sa’yo ‘yung problema ng UST para pare-pareho tayong may problema. Ngayon, pare-pareho tayo ngayong magtutulungan."
In the end, the Tiger Softbelles came through with clutch performances down the stretch, including a crucial 6-2 win against La Salle late in the second round. With the win, they climbed to second place after sweeping their last four games, secured a Final Four spot and more importantly, saved the general championship for UST.
“Ayaw nila matalo, gusto nila manalo. Lagi kong sinasabi, ‘Oh last game na ito,’ tapos sasabihin nila, ‘Hindi coach, lalaro pa tayo.’ Sabi ko sa kanila, kung gusto niyong manalo, maglaro kayo ng maayos,” Barredo said.
On their way to winning the general title for UST, the Tiger Softbelles almost had a chance to face the undefeated and five-time defending champion Adamson University in the finals but the Softbelles suffered a humbling 9-1 defeat at the hands of the University of the Philippines in their Final Four knockout match.
Barredo admitted that La Salle’s early dominance was a surprise to him since the Archers were never really a UAAP powerhouse when it came to softball. The Lady Archers eventually crashed out of contention after a four-game losing skid.
“Hindi puwedeng tayo ang malaglag. Hindi uso sa La Salle ang softball, sa atin uso kasi tayo nagdodomina ever since. Kaya kailangang talunin natin (sila),” he said.
Barredo said he had to make several changes in the lineup until he found the right combination. He cited backup pitcher-turned-starter Anne Antolihao as the team’s most valuable player with her contributions on both ends of the pitch.
“Kinabahan ako kasi isang malaking responsibilidad ‘yungbinigay ni coach sa akin pero [kailangan] lakas lang ngloob and tiwala sa teammates at higit sa lahat tiwala sasarili,” Antolihao said.
UST’s center fielder Kristine Lacupa said the team took time to gel but were united in their goal to overcome La Salle.
“Kung natalo pa kami nun, syempre baka ‘yung blame sa amin na parang wala man lang kaming naitulong. At least kahit papaano, makabawi man lang kami samga gastos ng school para sa amin, dapat may mai-contribute din kami.” Lacupa said. Delfin Ray M. Dioquino
