Adamson University kicked off its bid for a 13th straight UAAP Softball championship in style, shutting out archrival University of Santo Tomas, 4–0, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The win put the Lady Falcons in a share of the lead with the idle University of the Philippines at 1–0. On the other hand, the Tiger Softbelles dropped to an even 1–1 record in the tournament, organized in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission.
Adamson came out scorching in the first inning, racking up three hits and capitalizing on UST’s errors to plate three runs.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Rookie Reyae Villamin started the rally with a single to the middle, but it was Jeelyn Pajotal and Mea Tubongbanua who drove in the runs.
Roma Mae Cruz and Mae Langga crossed home to give Adamson a 2–0 advantage before MJ Libaton, who had reached base on a walk, scored after advancing to third and then home on hits by Pajotal and Tubongbanua, respectively.
However, it was Adamson’s defense that ultimately sealed the victory.
Rookie pitcher Maryjoy Alpitche and first-time starting catcher Victoria Magbanua held the Tiger Softbelles to just one hit without allowing a run.
“Defense namin maganda no, especially, ‘yung aking rookie pitcher ko sinabihan ko na talaga. Ang sabi ko nga sa kanya, this game will either ma-break ko o maging fighter ka para ma-feel mo ‘yung UAAP. And talagang nag-deliver siya: one hit,” said long-time head coach Ana Santiago.
Six Lady Falcons finished with one hit each, with Cruz and Tubongbanua driving in one RBI apiece in this defensive showcase between the two contenders.
Alpitche made a memorable UAAP debut, giving up only a lone hit from Helga Campos in the second inning while retiring the remaining 20 batters she faced, including two strikeouts.
After the strong defensive performance, Santiago emphasized the need for improved hitting, starting with their upcoming game against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Wednesday at 9:00 AM.
“Of course, kailangang mag-improve ‘yung hitting namin kasi malaking bagay talaga ang hitting. And at the same time, mag-adjust kami sa mga dapat pa naming i-adjust at i-improve, kasi ang labanan naman dito sa UAAP, every game, nag-iiba,” said the concurrent national team coach.
“So, kailangan mag-prepare talaga kami every game.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Campos was the lone bright spot for UST, which struggled to break through Adamson’s defense.
The Tiger Softbelles could not follow up on their 2–1 walk-off win against De La Salle University.
Celine Chang helped stop the bleeding for UST, holding Adamson to just one run and three hits over the last five innings, after MJ Beronilla gave up the three runs in the first inning.
UST (1–1) will have a break on Wednesday before facing Ateneo (0–1) on Saturday, March 7, at 11:00 AM.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UST | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
| AdU | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
