RTU rallies to oust Chikara of Brunei
RIZAL Technological University rallied to beat Chikara of Brunei, 12-6,in the semifinals of the women’s open division in the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Summer Grandslam National Softball Open Championship being held inside Clark Freeport Zone.
Down 3-6 going into the top half of the seventh inning, RTU exploded for nine runs, initiated by Melanie Macatangay, whose hit sent Rachel Mejio scooting into home plate, followed successively by Macatangay, Sharen Garcia and Gina Bacus. On her second time at bat, Macatangay hit a homer with the bases loaded for another scoring run that had Chikara befuddled inside the field.
With that victory, the thirdranked RTU will play the loser of the game between defending women’s open division champion Adamson University and University of the PhilippinesDiliman in the finals of the week-long tournament organized by Asaphil.
“My players did not give up. They played their hearts out,” said RTU coach and former Blu Girl Carmelita Velasco. “I think we will have better chances against UP than against Adamson.”
In the men’s open division, Lakidende of Indonesia emerged the top ranked team after beating Philippine Air Force-2 in its last game, 8-1, for a 7-1 win-loss record.
Lakidende will battle Philip- pine Air Force-1, with a 5-3 record, for the first berth in the finals.
PAF-2 plays RTU with the winner going up against the loser of Lakidende-PAF-1 en route to the championship game.