DIONE MACASU pitched a perfect game in leading University of the Philippines to a 1-0 upset victory over Adamson University at the start of the best-of-three series for the softball title in the First Manila Youth National Invitational Games yesterday at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines grounds.
The 20-year-old fourth year physical education major from San Miguel, Bulacan struck out 13 of the 21 batters she faced on her way to completing the rare feat only a few pitchers before her achieved, including the legendary Julita Tayo and Emma Elnar.
UP shortstop Alexis Causapin secured the win for the Lady Maroons with a solo homerun at the bottom of the fourth.
Causapin sent rookie Felixwinda Custodio’s pitch deep across the centerfield, triggering a wild celebration at the dugout.
The Lady Maroons go for the title when they clash anew with the UAAP champion Lady Falcons at 1 p.m. today. The event was reduced to a best-of-three series when only two teams enlisted for the tournament.
"Masaya ako nang malaman kong naka-perfect game ako. Hindi ko kasi alam at walang nagsabi sa akin," said the lefty Macasu who recorded her fifth perfect game. "Wala rin palang nakakaalam sa mga teammates at coaches ko."
That Macasu did it against the Lady Falcons made it even sweeter.
Adamson coach Filomeno "Boy" Codinera, who gambled with Custodio instead of No. 1 hurler Cloiene Muyco, took the blame for the defeat.
"Anyway, hindi pa naman tapos ang lahat. This a best-of-three series at may game pa bukas," he said.
Palayan city of Nueva Ecija, meanwhile, swept its two-game assignment for the day blanking bohol Province, 7-0; overwhelming Manila, 10-4, in four innings; before bowing to Parañaque City, 9-1.
Other baseball results saw Antipolo City mangling Manila, 13-3; Tanauan shutting out Tauig of Rizal Province, 14-0, in four innings; Tanauan beating Antipolo, 3-1; Muntinlupa City running over Taguig, 14-2 in three innings.
