The Tigers clobbered the De La Salle Green Archers, 12-2, in five innings, while the Maroons needed two extra innings to subdue the Adamson University Falcons, 6-5.

Al-denn Lozada’s grand slam at the bottom fifth highlighted UST’s victory that sent a strong message the Espana-based clouters are serious about retaining the title.

Baseball action resumes Thursday also at Rizal Memorial with the De La Salle-Ateneo match opening the day at 8 a.m. Other games pit tournament host National University against UP and UST against Adamson.

In tennis also Sunday at the Rizal Racket Club in Pasig City, women’s defending champion De La Salle ripped UP, 4-1.

Last season’s MVP Michelle Panis led the Lady Archers’ onslaught with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Karen Reyes. Sherry Rose Ching and Lourdes Binoya made it 2-0 with a 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 victory over Janna Songco and Roma Agsalud and Mary Ann Luy made it an unbeatable 3-0 after beating Creslita Gulusino, 6-0, 6-3.

UP prevented a shutout in the second doubles where Micah Valenzuela and Ana Ysabel Soriano defeated Krissy Alina and Nisha Hemlani, 5-7, 2-6, before Kat Flores completed the rout by blasting Venise Culaba, 6-1, 6-0.

UST blanked Ateneo, 5-0, in the other women’s match.

Men’s action saw La Salle making it a double for Taft with a 5-0 win over University of the East and UP clobbering neighbor Ateneo, 3-1.

Nico Riego de Dios (first singles), Yanic Guba and JR Moreno (first doubles), Miguel Pantua (second singles), Ed Angelo Diez and Pereme Alina (second doubles) and John Rick de Castro (third singles) made possible the De La Salle shutout.

"We prepared hard this season because we really want to regain the crown. We were slightly frustrated last season because our defeat hurt us. But I told my players that this is our chance and we should not leave nothing to chance if we want to win the title," said De La Salle coach Roland Kraut.

UST frustrated De La Salle in its title-retention bid in Season 67, 2-1, in last year’s final.