UNIVERSITY of the Philippines (UP) turned back De La Salle, 10-3, to clinch the remaining Final Four berth on Thursday in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 79 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
With two outs in the second inning, the Lady Maroons exploded with eight runs as the Lady Archers fell into a maze of errors to yield in the do-or-die match.
The victory sent the Lady Maroons to a semifinals showdown with defending six-time champion Adamson University tomorrow also at the Rizal Memorial diamond.
The other Final Four pairing pits No. 2 National University against last year’s finalist University of Santo Tomas.
The Lady Falcons and Lady Bulldogs hold twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals for finishing 1-2 in the eliminations. The semifinals decider, if necessary, will be played on Monday.
In baseball on Wednesday, De La Salle kept its bid to repeat as champion following an 8-5 victory over early finalist Ateneo.
UST and Adamson University are tied at six after 11 innings and their game was suspended due to darkness. The resumption will be announced later.
The Growling Tigers, who are holding a 6-2 card in second place, need to beat the Falcons to advance tothe title round opposite the Blue Eagles.
The Green Archers improved to 5-4 in third spot. De La Salle will force a playoff for the last championship berth if it beats UP on Sunday and UST loses to Ateneo and Adamson University atthe resumption of their abandoned game.
NU defeated UP, 12-7, in a no-bearing match to improve to 4-5.
Image credits: Stephanie Tumampos