University of Santo Tomas right fielder Anna Rose Macatbag in action during the game against the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Tuesday (March 10, 2026). UST won, 5-1. (UAAP photo)
The University of Santo Tomas delivered a commanding performance on Tuesday, overpowering the University of the Philippines, 5–1, in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
The victory marked a significant breakthrough for the Golden Tigresses, who secured their first win over UP since their Season 86 meeting on March 6, 2024.
Coming off an impressive 6–3 upset of 12-time defending champion Adamson University last Saturday, the Fighting Maroons were handed their first defeat after opening the season with three straight games.
With the result, UST joined UP and Adamson in a tight three-way tie at the top of the standings. Adamson kept pace earlier in the day after defeating De La Salle University, 3–1. La Salle dropped to a 1–4 record, while Ateneo de Manila University remained winless after five games.
UST broke the deadlock in the third inning when Gen Degollacion lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, allowing Erika Fernandez to cross home plate for the first run of the contest.
The Golden Tigresses widened the gap in the fifth inning behind their rookies. Annarose Macatbag sparked the rally with her second hit of the game before fellow newcomer Jaime Bueza delivered an RBI that drove her in.
Macatbag turned in a standout performance at the plate with three hits, while Bueza added two hits and two RBIs. Degollacion also made her presence felt offensively, finishing with two RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the sixth inning that brought Helga Campos home.
Veteran head coach Sandy Barredo credited the team’s depth and composure, particularly the contributions from the younger players.
“It didn’t make any difference because even my rookies delivered, they just didn’t use their No. 1 pitcher. That’s what I expected; I expected to be home in a moment, but I don’t know, the game turned around. And there we were, winning; the kids showed a good performance,” Barredo said.
Barredo added that careful scouting played a key role in the victory.
“I just scouted how they hit, especially their big hitters. You know that’s going to the fence, so watch out. Plus (Jamm’n) Rasco, no hit – the ones who hit well but didn’t hit. The ones I expected to hit, but they didn’t deliver,” he said.
With momentum on their side, the Golden Tigresses now find themselves firmly in the early title race as the Season 88 softball tournament intensifies.
