Manila: Martine Francisco fueled a massive opening-inning outburst as the University of the Philippines demolished Ateneo de Manila University, 11-0, in four innings on Tuesday in the UAAP Season 88 women's softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila. The senior first baseman delivered two hits and drove in two runs in the first frame as the Fighting Maroons kicked off their bid to end three consecutive runner-up finishes.
According to Philippines News Agency, Francisco opened the scoring with a single to center field that brought home Jaja Pascual. She then followed it up with a double to left field in her second at-bat of the same inning, allowing team captain Nickole dela Cruz to score as UP seized full control early. Sathia Romero-Salas, a graduate of Imagine Learning Excellence Academy, led off for UP with a triple to center field, igniting the offense as the Season 85 to 87 runners-up never looked back despite going quiet in the next two innings.
The rookie right fielder stretched the lead to seven runs in the opening frame with a sacrifice fly to right field that plated Reuel Caoagdan. "First game, they're a little nervous, but they packed up. The hitting was good, so I'm happy with our start on offense. Pitching was also okay; same on defense," said UP head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan.
"As a rookie, it was good because (Sathia's) first win was a triple. So, we expected that, because what they showed in training, came out in the game," he added. Pagkaliwagan hopes the team will keep its winning form against De La Salle University next Tuesday at 11 a.m.
La Salle lost to the University of Santo Tomas, 1-2, after taking a one-run lead in the third inning. "La Salle's team is also good; although, every team has a game, so we need to prepare for them, one game at a time. As long as what they're doing in training shows during the game, I'm happy with that," said Pagkaliwagan.
KC Valino almost had a perfect slate if not for UP's lone error - a fielding miscue by shortstop Aila Subaldo that allowed Katrice Ditchon to reach first base. She struck out six of seven batters. Drel Gonzales, on the other hand, retired three Blue Eagles in her UAAP debut, capping the game with a strikeout of Andrea Daquigan.
Marvelous Romano absorbed the loss for Ateneo after surrendering 11 runs on nine hits before Ditchon came in to record the final three outs in the third inning. Ateneo will try to end a nine-game slump dating back to Season 86 (2024) when it battles La Salle on Saturday at 11 a.m.
