Adamson avenges first-round loss, edges UP to take UAAP Softball lead

Adamson University avenged its first-round defeat to University of the Philippines, scoring a 4–2 victory to open its second-round campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Softball Tournament on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Fighting Maroons had snapped a six-game losing streak against the Lady Falcons with a 6–3 win just last March 7, but Adamson made sure the result would favor them this time.

A solo home run from lead-off batter Roma Mae Cruz in the first inning set the tone for the San Marcelino-based squad. Two runs in the third inning proved decisive, as Adamson’s defense kept UP at bay throughout the first six innings.

Mea Tubongbanua capitalized on a two-on opportunity, sending a KC Valino pitch to left-center for a two-RBI single that scored Neomay Mahinay and Mae Langga, extending the lead to 3–0 after three innings.

“Kinausap ko ‘yung aking mga players. Nakita ko kasi na masyadong pressured sila. ‘Yun ‘yung napansin ko nung first round — masyado silang stiff, so it means, nape-pressure sila,” said head coach Ana Santiago on what made the difference in this game.

“I think kaya sila nape-pressure kasi kami ang defending champions. Ang sabi ko lang, ‘Huwag nilang kalimutan na they are still humans.’ Nagkakamali rin kami.”

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

“Ang importante is ma-motivate kayo na kaya gumaganda ang UAAP season at nagiging competitive, kasi kayo ang naging standard. So, ‘pag ikaw ang naging standard, everybody wants to beat you. Kung natalo kayo, hindi kayo dapat ma-break ng game,” the decorated Adamson mentor added.

“Sabi ko, kung matalo kayo, eh di natalo kayo. And it means naging better ang ating kalaban. So, maging positive pa rin tayo tungkol sa kung ano ang dapat nating gawin next time. Basta sa’kin, mag-focus lang kayo, have fun, huwag ninyong kalimutan i-enjoy ‘yung game. ‘’Pag natalo ka, no excuses; natalo tayo kasi mas magaling sila sa’tin that time.”

Victoria Magbanua finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, including a double in the sixth inning that sealed the Lady Falcons’ victory. Cruz added another RBI single in the same frame to follow up on her homer.

Glory Alonzo delivered a complete-game performance on the mound, limiting the Fighting Maroons to just two late runs and allowing six hits.

The win propelled the 13-peat-seeking Lady Falcons into a tie for first place in the standings with the idle UST Tiger Softbelles at 4–1 in the tournament, which is held in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.

Adamson now has a golden opportunity to move closer to another Finals appearance when it faces Ateneo de Manila University (0–5) on Saturday at 9:00 AM.

“Kung gusto ninyong manalo, kailangang maging better tayo sa kanila. Kaya, it’s all about mindset. Itong pagpasok ng second round, it’s all about mindset,” Santiago said on what will be the turning point for her squad in this round.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

After six scoreless innings, UP responded with two runs in the seventh. Nickole Dela Cruz started the rally with a single, followed by a triple from Generose Torremocha that scored Jamm’n Rasco.

With Laica Atlas at the plate and after a timeout from Santiago, Alonzo threw a passed ball to Magbanua that scored Torremocha. Atlas added another hit to keep the rally alive, but Adamson eventually ended the threat as Sathia Romero-Salas flew out to Rayae Villamin.

Torremocha finished with two hits and one RBI, but UP’s six hits were scattered throughout the game, leaving three runners stranded. Valino started for the Diliman-based side but absorbed her first loss of the season, giving up three earned runs on five hits.

The Fighting Maroons slipped to third place with a 4–2 record.

UP will regroup after splitting its first two second-round games and will face Ateneo on Tuesday at 11:00 AM, again at the Malate venue.