The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Softbelles’ six-year dominance over De La Salle University Lady Batters came to an end, 5-6, in their opening second round game of the UAAP Season 87 Softball Tournament on Saturday, March 15, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Manila.

After winning seven straight games against La Salle since Season 81, UST failed to hold off a determined Lady Batters squad that capitalized on a second-inning surge to break the streak.

UST stumbled out of the gates in the first inning giving up three runs to the Lady Batters, 0-3.

Rookie starting pitcher Mary Jane Beronilla was immediately relieved by Chang Chihling after the sequence.

The Tiger Softbelles quickly responded with three runs of their own at the top of the second inning, led by key hits from Angel Bedaño and Angela Solidarios, 3-3.

UST’s defensive lapses proved costly as DLSU answered back with another three-run burst in the bottom of the second inning, 3-6.

Bedaño kept the Tiger Softbelles in the fight with a solo home run in the fourth inning, followed by Aiza Gancias, who scored off an error to cut La Salle’s lead by one, 5-6.

The Tiger Softbelles struggled to crack the Lady Batters' defense in the final three innings as Joerjette Jordan limited UST to within two hits in the final frame.

Both squads share the third seed in the standings with a 2-3 win-loss record.

UST will look to bounce back against the undefeated Adamson Lady Falcons on Tuesday, March 18, in the same venue.