MANILA – De La Salle University routed Ateneo de Manila University, 11-0, on Tuesday in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, extending their perfect record against the Blue Eagles this season.
The Green Batters scored early with four runs in the first two innings, then exploded for seven more in the third to put the game beyond reach. La Salle had also beaten Ateneo 18-0 in their first-round matchup on February 28.
“Losing to UP earlier motivated us to focus on the second round. Our target has always been the top two, and today we made that step,” said head coach Jasper Cabrera.
Julian Del Moral was pivotal, driving in three runs in the third inning with RBIs for Trisha Hicayen, Shein Espinosa, and Ciarina Eder. Jasmin Visaya’s double sent Del Moral home, and Cassandra Inot added La Salle’s 11th run on a sacrifice by April Gonzales to secure the win.
Pitcher Joergette Jordan delivered a flawless performance, striking out five and allowing just two hits, keeping Ateneo scoreless throughout the game.
“Each play was important. Our hitting needed to click against Ateneo to build confidence for upcoming games against UST,” Cabrera, also head coach of the RP Blu Boys, explained.
La Salle will face University of Santo Tomas this Saturday at 11 a.m., while Ateneo seeks its first victory in six games against Adamson University on Saturday at 9 a.m. and University of the Philippines on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
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