The UST Tiger Softbelles fell short of a finals berth, falling to the UP Lady Maroons, 2-3, in the UAAP Season 86 women's softball tournament at the UP Baseball Field on Saturday, April 6.

The Lady Maroons seized the first inning with a timely hit from Nickole dela Cruz, setting up a home run for Angel Pascual to start for UP, 1-0.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Softbelles answered back with a Lyca Blanco solo run to equalize, 1-1.

After a bases-loaded third inning, UP managed to wallop a single point off another successful solo run to lead 2-1.

The Lady Maroons’ lead lingered until the seventh inning, until a hit by UST’s Shyla Celis triggered a base run led by team captain Tin Bautista to secure another equalizer, 2-2.

However, UP’s Danica Aquino delivered the winning moment off a rare triple play in the clutch, ultimately sealing off the win.

The Tiger Softbelles capped their season with the bronze medal, their best performance since Season 81, where they fell to the eventual champions Adamson Lady Falcons.

Meanwhile, the victorious Lady Maroons side booked a best-of-three Finals rematch against Adamson, with Game 1 scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 10, at the same venue.