LA Salle cruised to its second consecutive win to remain in solo third in the UAAP Season 87 Softball Tournament, using a powerful six-run third inning to dispatch Ateneo9-1 in four and one-half innings on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Tiffany Labargan powered the Lady Batters to an even 3-3 win-loss record, placing them just behind the idle University of the Philippines (4-1) ahead of their crucial showdown on Saturday at 10 a.m.
The second-year third baseman delivered a perfect three-out-of-three performance and drove in six RBIs, helping La Salle achieve back-to-back wins for the first time since Season 81. This victory followed their thrilling 6-5 upset of the University of Santo Tomas last Saturday.
“Angsinabikolangtalaga is huwagi-underestimate ‘tong Ateneo. Kumbaga, kailanganglumabantalaga at ipakitalahat ng galing at hindimagkumpyansa. At least nanalo, kahithindi more runs ‘yungnagawa,” said head coach Jasper Cabrera.
“Angimportantetalaga is ‘tong UP kasi may chance pa kami eh. ‘Pag ma-straight namin ‘tong UP at Adamson, hindinatinmasabi, bakamakapasok pa kami sa Finals,” the veteran mentor added.
Labargan and the Lady Batters gradually built their lead with three runs in the first two innings before breaking the game open in the third. This mirrored their first-round encounter with Ateneo, where they erupted for 17 runs in the opening inning.
April Rose Gonzales ignited the third-inning onslaught before four consecutive hits from GlecilynAlipato, Jazmin Visaya, Julianne Moral, and Jeryll Duller paved the way for five more runs, extending De La Salle’s lead to 8-0. Cassandra Inot and Labargan capped off the scoring spree with the ninth run, effectively sealing their third win of the season.
