The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Softbelles snapped their two-game skid with a dominant 10-1 win over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 softball tournament on Tuesday, March 25, at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Blue Eagles endured a winless campaign, only winning twice in the past three seasons.

UST neutralized Ateneo’s lone run in the top of the first inning as Jojielyn Lim ignited the offense and brought Ryza Mae Zafra home for the opening run.

Anne Patricio capped the inning with a two-RBI single, bringing home Lyca Blanco and Lim, 4-1.

UST widened the gap with another offensive surge the next inning, 7-1.

The Tiger Softbelles continued to pile on more runs despite the impending mercy rule at the bottom of the fourth inning, 10-1.

The match was called at the top of the fifth inning as Ateneo failed to add to its score.

UST Pitcher Celine Chang earned the win, holding Ateneo to just one hit after giving up two early singles that led to their only run.

“Opensa pa rin ang pinakamaganda, pero noong ni-reshuffle ko ‘yong defense, mas maganda kasi walang errors. Pero ‘yon lang sa left field ang lumusot kaya naka-score ang Ateneo,” said UST head coach Sandy Barredo.

Both UST and DLSU are gunning for the bronze coming into the final day of the elimination rounds with 3-4 win-loss records.

The Tiger Softbelles will wrap up their season against finalists University of the Philippines on Saturday, March 29, at the same venue, while La Salle will face defending champion Adamson later that day.

If UST and DLSU finish with identical records, a playoff for third place will take place on April 1.