RTU batters edge Airmen for lead

MANILA, Philippines - The RTU Blue Thunder scored a 1-0 upset win over favored Phiten-Airforce in the resumption of the Softball Filipinas Fall season tournament at the Rosario Field in Pasig City.

Raymond Mariano blasted a homerun in the fifth inning that proved to be the game-winning run for RTU, enabling the school to take the solo lead with four straight wins.

The Mandaluyong-based batters swept their doubleheader with a 4-0 victory over Forward Taguig. Former National pitcher Nonilon Pagkaliwagan was recalled to active duty as he started for RTU with national team mainstay Leo Barredo finishing the job for the Blue Thunder.

In the other game, Globe Asiatique GA Realtors defeated Phiten-Airforce, 14-9, in extra innings. With the score tied at 5-all at the bottom of the last inning, the Airmen loaded the bases with no out. However, National team pitcher Vic Enriquez frustrated the next three batters of Phiten by retiring the side.

 In the next frame, Globe Asiatique batters unloaded a nine-run binge, the most number of runs in an inning in the tournament. Actor Richard Gomez played his best game to date with an RBI for the second running Realtors.

In the last game of the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and sponsored by LBC, Taguig scored its second victory with a close 3-1 win over LBC Hari ng Padala.