Adamson University-Philippines suffered a heartbreaking loss in the bronze medal match of the Asian Universities Women’s Softball Asia Cup 2024, falling 2-0 to South Korea on Saturday at the Taichung International Field in Taiwan.
South Korea’s Hong Siyeon delivered a masterclass performance, pitching a complete game and allowing just three hits while striking out seven batters.
Notably, Hong had not pitched in the Lady Falcons’ 7-0 victory over the Koreans during the elimination round, saving her best for the bronze medal showdown.
The Philippines finished fourth in their debut tournament appearance.
The game was a tense pitching duel for the first five innings, with Hong and Adamson’s Glory Alonzo holding both teams scoreless.
However, South Korea broke the deadlock in the top of the sixth inning.
Kim Yeorang led off with a single, followed by Ju Hyoju’s inside-the-park home run to left field, which narrowly escaped a diving MJ Libaton, giving the Koreans a 2-0 lead.
Adamson had a final chance in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Hong retired Roma Jane Cruz, Alaiza Talisik, and May Mahinay to seal the victory.
Talisik, Remilie Herrero, and Reyae Villamin provided the only three hits for the Lady Falcons—far from their nine-hit showing in their earlier win against South Korea.