TITLE HOPES of the UST Tiger Softbelles slipped away once more after a 5-3 loss to the UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament on Saturday, March 28, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Coliseum.
The defeat sealed UST’s fourth consecutive bronze finish, a streak dating back to Season 85.
UST also failed to build on its first-round breakthrough against UP — its first triumph over the Maroons since 2024.
Both teams struck early with a run apiece in the opening inning, 1-all.
UP catcher Reuel Caoagdan and rookie Sathia Romero-Salas ignited the second-inning surge, capitalizing on Jaja Pascual’s walk and Danica Aquino’s hit to center field to take a 3-1 advantage.
The Maroons sustained their offensive pressure at the top of the third inning, as Romero-Salas earned another run, while Pascual delivered her second hit of the game to bring home Aila Subaldo, extending the cushion to 5-3.
UST attempted to mount a rally in the next inning, trimming the deficit to 5-3 behind Jojielyn Lim’s double, fueled by a string of three consecutive hits.
Starting pitcher Celine Chang was later relieved by MJ Beronilla, who held UP scoreless in the final three innings.
However, the Tiger Softbelles could not generate enough offense down the stretch to complete the rally.
UP recorded 10 hits to the Softbelles’ seven to conclude the game, overpowering the UST defense in the game’s early stages. F
