Showing their championship pedigree, the Adamson University Lady Falcons bombarded the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses right from the get-go.
The reigning squad out of San Marcelino needed just four innings to take Game One of the UAAP Season 81 Softball Finals, 11-2, Friday morning at the historic Rial Memorial Baseball Stadium.
During the opening alone, the Lady Falcons punched in nine runs on six hits in an overwhelming showcase of hitting. That huge rally even drew awe from decorated mentor Ana Santiago.
“Mainit yung first inning namin. Yun yung nagpa-survive sa amin, yung inning na yun. I told them, we needed just one big inning to win a game,” gushed Santiago.
One and done third baseman Arianne Vallestero opened the game with a triple before being brought home immediately by rookie MJ Maguad.
UST rookie Celyn Ojare could not pin down the firepower of Adamson, allowing six more runs punctuated by a two-RBI single courtesy of rookie DP Clariz Lozada.
“Yung mga rookie namin ngayon, nagste-step up sila. Yun yung kailangan namin. Anim nawala sa amin from last year. At least, nakikita ko na lumalaban sila,” Santiago remarked about her rookies.
Even UST reliever Henna Santiago could not stop the rampage as four more runs were scored – including a two-run triple by Maguad – before the inning mercifully ended.
Maguad ended up going .666 at-bat with three RBIs. Vallestero had two hits, while Lozada added two RBIs.
On the other end, graduating pitcher Lyca Basa allowed two hits early in the first inning but none were able to reach home.
“Nung una silang pumalo, naging shaky yung bato ni Basa. Buti na lang nakabalik siya. At least maganda yung pitching niya na naka-hold,” recalled Santiago.
Adamson punched in two more runs in the second inning. UST tried to make a late game rally but the lead was just too high.
“Practice ulit kami bukas. Let’s see kung ano yung adjustment namin. Mindset namin is simula pa lang ito, hindi pa tapos yung laban,” Santiago said about the potential championship-clincher.
Game Two of the best-of-three series takes place on Tuesday, April 2. Adamson are gunning for a ninth straight title.
Linescores:
UST – 002 0– — – 2 5 2
ADU – 920 0– — – 11 8 2
