Rizal Tech clouters crush Dasma, claim third straight win in RP Open

MANILA, Philippines - Top favorite Rizal Technological University of Mandaluyong trounced Dasmariñas of Cavite, 9-1, in regulation five-innings yesterday to notch its third straight win in the Cebuana Lhuillier National Open Softball Championships at the Baguio Athletic Bowl in Baguio.

The Blue Thunders dominated their rivals throughout the one-and-a-half hour encounter, scoring four runs right at the top of the opening frame.

A single by Ulysses Mejia, who combined with Leo Barredo and Ronnie Pagkaliwagan in limiting the Caviteños to a single run, drove home the Thunders’ only needed marker with a single that sent Apol Rosales, who earlier boarded on base-on-balls, across the plate.

A sacrifice fly by Jerome Bacarisas, a base-hit by Oscar Bradshaw and another single by Edwin Mercado sent the reigning Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines champions scoring five more runs in the succeeding plays in the same frame.

Adamson University, likewise, set in motion its title campaign in the women’s division of the annual series backed by Pera Padala, Cebuana Insurance Solutions, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Phiten, Just Jewels and Le Soleil de Boracay, as it fashioned out a four-inning 13-0 shutout of Besao of Benguet at the nearby Melvin Jones Park.

Leftfielder Marissa dela Cruz walked, stole second and third then cruised home on a Besao fielding error for the only run that gave the Lady Falcons their second win in as many days.

The Taft Ave.-based batters bunched together six more markers each in the second and third innings to complete the rout.

The RTU Lady Thunders matched the Lady Falcons’ 2-0 win-loss card with a 7-6 win over UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas in an extended eight-inning contest.

Maricar Barrientos’ two-run round-tripper broke a 6-all count forged after seven completed frames.

University of Cordillera of Baguio stunned highly touted Polytechnic University, 2-0, also in the distaff side of the tournament.

The UST Tigresses though came back later in the day to beat Cavite Province, 3-2.

In other men’s category results, MS of Marikina thumped Dasmariñas of Cavite, 10-1, in a regulation five-inning and Baguio City routed R and R of Benguet, 7-4.