MANILA – University of Santo Tomas (UST) scored a 5-1 upset over the University of the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate.
This victory was UST’s first over UP since their initial encounter in Season 86 on March 6, 2024.
UP, fresh from a 6-3 win against 12-time champion Adamson University last Saturday, recorded its first loss of the season after winning its first three games.
With the result, UST now ties with UP and Adamson for the tournament lead. Adamson defeated De La Salle University 3-1, leaving La Salle with a 1-4 record. Ateneo remains without a win after five games.
UST got on the board in the third inning when Gen Degollacion’s sacrifice fly brought Erika Fernandez home. In the fifth inning, rookie Annarose Macatbag doubled her impact with another hit, and Jaime Bueza drove her in with an RBI.
“It was impressive to see even the rookies step up while our main pitcher rested. The team showed determination and performed beyond expectations,” said head coach Sandy Barredo.
Macatbag ended the game with three hits, Bueza tallied two hits and two RBIs, and Degollacion contributed two RBIs, including a crucial double in the sixth inning that scored Helga Campos.
Barredo noted, “We had a clear scouting plan for their top hitters. Some didn’t deliver, but others executed perfectly, which helped us secure the win.”
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