Finals-bound Adamson University pulled through past De La Salle University, 3–1, to complete a second-round sweep of the UAAP Season 88 Softball Tournament on the final day of eliminations Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Lady Falcons secured the top seed for their fourth straight championship showdown against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, who earlier defeated the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Softbelles, 5–3, to claim the other finals ticket.
Adamson finished the eliminations with a 7–1 win-loss record, relying on a masterclass in defense to take the victory.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Maganda ‘yung naging response nila. Nakita ko naman ‘yung improvement nila — ‘yung mindset and approach nila, may mga changes. And at the same time, may mga nag-step up na rin. Importante ‘yan kasi ‘tong championship, medyo mahirap-hirap,” said head coach Ana Santiago, as her squad officially entered their 11th straight UAAP Finals appearance.
“Alam naman natin ‘yang UP; may hunger na rin ’yan eh. Kami naman, siyempre, kailangan naming ma-defend ‘yung title namin. It’s everybody’s ball game, hindi natin alam kung sino [mananalo]. Pero ang ano ko lang sa mga bata, ilaban muna nila ‘yung game and don’t think about the outcome,” the legendary mentor added.
Adamson started strong on offense, scoring one run in each of the first three innings. Neomay Mahinay finished with two hits and scored two of those runs.
The fourth-year standout hit a lead-off single to left field in the first inning before coming home on another hit to the same side from captain Mae Langga. Mahinay then drove in the Lady Falcons’ third run with a massive triple from Mea Tubongbanua in the third inning.
Earlier, last year’s Rookie of the Year Jhaycel Roldan doubled the advantage when her double to center field was converted into a run off a hit from MJ Libaton.
Mahinay ended the game with three of Adamson’s eight hits to lead the offense, while Langga, Tubongbanua, and Libaton each recorded one hit and one RBI.
With offense slowing down in later innings, Adamson leaned on its defense to secure the win, powered by its top-tier pitching staff.
Season 85 MVP Glory Alonzo started the strong defensive effort with a two-hitter shutout over three innings. April Minanga and Maryjoy Alpitche combined for a four-hitter, allowing just one run in relief.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Heading into a familiar matchup against UP in the Finals, Santiago wants her team to continue building on the improvements she saw in their lone loss against the same squad.
“Huwag nilang i-pressure ‘yung sarili nila. I told them to play freely; so, whatever it is, ang importante is ibigay nila lahat ‘yung meron sila,” Santiago, who also coaches the Blu Girls, shared.
The Lady Batters came alive in the fifth inning with two consecutive hits from April Gonzales and Julianne Moral.
Cassandra Inot cut the deficit to two after driving in Gonzales, but Czarina Eder and Tiff Labargan could not extend the rally as Adamson’s defense closed the frame with two quick outs.
La Salle finished in fourth place for the third consecutive season.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AdU | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1 | ||||
| DLSU | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 |
