Lady Maroons seize lead in RP softball

University of the Philippines edged UAAP rival De La Salle, 1-0, yesterday to seize the solo lead in the women’s division of the 2006 National Open Softball Championships at the Sto. Niño grounds in Marikina City.

Dione Macasu shut down La Salle with her solid pitching job to power the Lady Maroons to a fourth straight victory in this event organized by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines headed by Harry Angping.

La Salle hurler Joy Lanting held her ground against Macasu but a fielding error allowed Nimpa Baral to sneak in a run in the fifth inning that proved costly for the Lady Archers, who fell to a second loss against two wins.

Chasing UP at second was University of Santo Tomas, which smashed Caloocan, 7-0, to seal a third straight victory in this meet sponsored by Purefoods, Monterey, Funchum, Accel and Cebuana Lhuillier group of companies.

Pasig City demolished Montalban 10-2, to cruise to a fourth win in row and closer to clinching the top spot in Group 1 in the men’s side. Egged on by a cheering home crowd at the Rosario grounds, the Pasig batters leaned on teenage sensation Marlon Pagkaliwagan’s superb effort.

Pagkaliwagan, who starred in his team’s 8-1 thrashing of Cainta, pitched a two-hitter and scored two runs to seal it for Pasig City.

"He’s playing well. We hope he continues to do that," said Pasig coach Ronnilon Pagkaliwagan, Marlon’s uncle and former pitching coach of China’s ladies junior team.