Thunders sink Adamson belles in marathon duel

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  – A four-run salvo at the top of the 10th inning lifted Rizal Technological University to an 8-4 come-from-behind victory over Adamson University-Cavite yesterday in the Cebuana Lhuillier-National Open softball championships here.

A single to left-center by Emylene Lorete drove home Jennifer Singh, who was posted at second as automatic runner in extra period. Then Jennyl Cayanon added three more runs as she belted a homer wih two teammates on board – Marylin Francisco, who had earlier doubled, and Emalene Lorete.

Ace pitcher Veronica Belleza then sealed the win by retiring three Cavite batters at the Melvin Jones Park inside the Burnham Park.

The win, their third straight, not only assured RTU of its place in the crossover Final Four in Group B of the women’s play, it also boosted the bid of UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas to barge, too, into the semifinal round of this series sponsored by Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Phiten, Just Jewels and Le Soleil de Boracay.

The Lady Blue Thunders earlier rallied from three runs down with a run each in the third, fourth and fifth frames and even took the upper hand in the second extra inning, 4-3.

The Caviteñas sent the game into another extra frame on a run-scoring base-hit by pinch hitter Bada Lao.

University of Cordillera mangled Besao of Benguet in only three innings, 9-2, also in the women’s division, the same fate the UST Tigresses dealt Kabenguetan of Benguet, 23-0, in fashioning out their third win in four times up.

In the men’s play over at the nearby Baguio Athletic Bowl, MS-Marikina outlasted Baguio City, 4-2, to remain the only team unbeaten in Group A with its clean 3-0 win-loss slate. Next only to idle RTU Blue Thunders.

Bulacan State University posted its second straight triumph at the expense of BMRP of Benguet tying Cavite Province at the top of ‘Group B in the process.

The Baguio City clouters avenged that loss to MS-Marikina by trouncing La Trinidad of Benguet, 9-2.