Adamson punches UAAP Softball Finals ticket with shutout of UST

Adamson University secured another UAAP Softball Finals berth by shutting out University of Santo Tomas, 3–0, marking its sixth win in Season 88 on the penultimate day of eliminations, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Lady Falcons inched closer to a 13th straight league title — the longest streak in the collegiate division — by making the most of their limited scoring opportunities against a valiant stand by the Tiger Softbelles.

Adamson needed just four hits to score their three runs in the first, second, and sixth innings. Captain Mae Langga got things started with a double down the left line, driving in Roma Mae Cruz.

In the second inning, Chastene Jover scored Victoria Magbanua, who had initially walked, while MJ Libaton crossed the plate in the sixth following a double and an error by UST left fielder Erika Fernandez.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

“We’re so happy and grateful talaga kasi talagang nakita naman natin ang season na sa simula’t simula sinabi ko talaga na it’s everybody’s ball game. And at the same time, talagang maganda itong season natin. It’s good for our sport talaga,” said head coach Ana Santiago.

“Ang sabi ko lang naman sa mga bata: be a good teammate. It means kapag part ka ng team, first nine ka or nasa bench, malaking part ka pa rin being a good teammate. Whether you have a good performance or not, continue to hustle, cheer, para ‘yung presence mo maramdaman ng iyong teammates,” the Adamson legend added.

Langga and Jover each finished with one hit and one RBI, while last season’s Rookie of the Year, Jhaycel Roldan, and Libaton contributed the remaining hits to complete the Lady Falcons’ total of four.

Rookie pitcher Mary Joy Alpitche recorded the biggest win of her young UAAP career, tossing a one-hitter shutout with five strikeouts.

Adamson will close the elimination round against De La Salle University on Saturday at 11 a.m., still at the same venue within the Philippine Sports Commission compound.

(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team

For UST, Aiza Ganciar drove in the only hit for the Tiger Softbelles, a single to left field, but was eventually forced out on a fielder’s choice.

Celine Chang battled on the mound, but the two walks she issued to Cruz and Magbanua proved costly, accounting for two of the three runs allowed.

The Tiger Softbelles will face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons — who are still playing the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the time of writing — in a virtual playoff for the second Finals berth on Saturday at 9 a.m.