RTU softbelles clinch gold

MANILA, Philippines—Rizal Technological University clinched the first gold in the Philippine Sports Commission-University Games in Roxas City after blanking Central Philippine University, 2-0, in Game 2 of their best-of-three women’s softball title showdown.

Analyn Magnipis scored a run in the second inning and Shirley Calderon added another in the fourth as RTU followed up its 5-0 shutout of CPU in the series opener.

“We lost twice against Adamson in the finals. We’re happy to win it this time around,” said RTU coach Carmenite Velasco.

The absence of perennial champion Adamson University paved the way for the one-on-one softball duel.

College of St. Benilde, last year’s runner-up, picked up its second win in men’s football after a 9-0 demolition of Colegio dela Purisima at the Roxas City pitch.

UP Diliman also sustained its winning form after squeezing out a hard-earned 2-1 win over University of San Carlos.

In women’s football, UP Diliman toppled University of St. La Salle, 6-1, for its second victory while De La Salle University subdued Foundation University, 5-0, following an opening-day setback inflicted by University of Santo Tomas.

West Negros University flaunted its strength in men’s basketball, crushing University of Immaculate Concepcion, 80-42, while St. Francis of Assisi College escaped with a scary 69-65 triumph over virtual unknown Hercor College.

St. Francis tied WNU and UAAP “four-peat” champion Ateneo at 2-0 while Hercor College absorbed its first defeat in three games.

CSB bounced back from a previous defeat at the hands of defending champion Adamson by exploiting National University’s sluggish start for a 78-68 win in women’s basketball.

Adamson coasted to its second victory with an 88-48 thrashing of Holy Cross College.

Defending champion FEU walloped De La Salle, 25-22, 25-23, 25-22, in men’s volleyball to keep pace with UST, which also registered a second win at the expense of Holy Cross College of Davao, 25-22, 25-28, 25-14, 25-18.

In lawn tennis, San Beda College began its title-retention bid by crushing Holy Angel University, 3-0, while CSB, last year’s runner-up in the distaff side, downed University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos.