RTU nines target rare softball feat

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Rizal Technological University and the Cavite-Philippine Navy All Stars came up with contrasting victories yesterday to pave the way for a championship showdown in the men’s division of the 2010 Cebuana Lhuillier National Open softball championships here.

Leo Barredo worked out a one-hit, no-run stint in five innings and comebacking Ronnie Pagkaliwagan preserved his feat with two-inning no-hit relief job as the RTU Blue Thunders shutout Bulacan State University, 5-0, in their side of the knockout semifinal round encounter.

The Cavitenos, on the other, hand needed an extra inning to subdue a fighting MS-Marikina side, 3-2 and found themselves contesting the title left vacant by Philippine Air Force in the the tournament sponsored by Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Phiten, Just Jewels and le Soleil de Boracay.

 RTU has a chance for a rare sweep of the men’s and women’s divisions following the Lady Thunders’ 4-1 beating of a young Adamson University-Manila side over at the Melvin Jones Park.

The Lady Thunders face tough University of Santo Tomas after the Lady Tigresses, the reigning UAAP champions, mishandled the University of the Philippines-Mama Sita’s Selection, 9-2, in their side of the Final Four battle.