Monday, March 23, 2015

UP secures finals berth in UAAP softball

Game Tuesday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium: 9 a.m. – Adamson vs UP

The University of the Philippines secured the other finals berth in UAAP softball on Sunday morning, easily dispatching the University of Santo Tomas, 9-1 in a mercy-rule shortened game at the Rizal Memorial Baseball stadium. The win in the stepladder semifinals sealed their first finals stint in four years.

A six-run fifth inning from the Maroon softbelles provided the necessary cushion in this game, highlighted by a three-run homer from Isabelle Mendoza. The scoring outburst came off the heels of a three-run fourth, anchored on an Mendoza sac fly that allowed Gelai Penales to score the tying run, followed by a Chanty Bongat two-RBI double to erect a 3-1 lead.

It was then left to the Cruz twins, who are manning the corner infield positions, to end the game in the bottom of the fifth. 1st basewoman Dennise caught the grounder from shortstop Lily Gonzales to force the first out on Arlyn Areglado. Third basewoman DC then catches the line drive from pinch hitter Kristel Angeles for the second out. The duo combined for what turned out to be the final out of the game, with DC throwing it to Dennise to snuff out the Kristel Lacupa at-bat and invoke the "mercy rule" to end the stepladder semifinals one inning early.  

The Tiger Softbelles scored their only run of the game in the second inning, as Sheila Perales knocked a two-out RBI single to send Christine Palma home, scoring the first run of the match.

Looming in the horizon for UP are defending champions Adamson. The Lady Falcons secured their finals berth on the shoulders of their sweep in the eliminations, extending their winning run to 60 straight games. The Lady Maroons will need to win three times to secure their first title in seven years.

With the win, head coach Kiko Diaz says that the team has already "met their objective" of making the finals this season. He adds that they "need to be at a higher level" to meet the challenge that is facing the defending champions.

In spite of the loss, UST finishes in third place in the tournament, capping off their Season 77 campaign with their 40th General Championship and ending La Salle's brief reign.

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