Adamson’s 16-run onslaught vs Ateneo secures UAAP Softball Finals berth

Adamson University clinched its 11th consecutive UAAP Softball Finals appearance in dominant fashion, unleashing an 11-run explosion in the third inning to seal a 16-0, three-inning rout of Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Lady Falcons remain unbeaten in six games, with University of the Philippines (4-1) and De La Salle University (3-3) still on their schedule.

The reigning champions will first take on the Fighting Maroons on Tuesday at 8:00 AM.

“It’s nice to be back in the Finals; ‘yun naman ‘yung first goal eh. Ang sabi ko naman sa kanila, kahit hindi naman natin ma-sweep ‘yung dalawang rounds, what is important is to be in the top two. ‘Yun naman ‘yung goal namin,” said Adamson head coach Ana Santiago.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

Leading 5-0 heading into the top of the third, Mea Tubongbanua sparked the rally with a leadoff single to left, followed by Victoria Magbanua’s base hit up the middle.

A flurry of hits from the Lady Falcons, combined with defensive miscues from Ateneo, ignited the 11-run surge.

Alaiza Talisik contributed a lone hit but made a significant impact, driving in two RBIs with Neomay Mahinay and MJ Maguad. She also executed a sacrifice hit that scored Maguad in the first inning, finishing the game with a team-high three RBIs.

Tubongbanua added a hit and an RBI, while Magbanua chipped in with two hits and an RBI to bolster Adamson’s offensive outburst.

On the mound, Glory Alonzo secured her second win of the season, allowing just one hit — a single from Rocio Macasaet — while striking out Jessica Daquigan in two innings of work.

April Minanga closed out the victory with a flawless inning, retiring all three batters she faced and striking out Daniella De Asis and Noelle Franco in the third frame.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“At least maganda ‘yung pinalo namin today compared sa mga nakaraan. So talagang naka-focus sila. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, must win today and alam naming na maglalaro kami ng championship. Yung mga preparation namin sa next games, looking forward na kami sa Finals,” added the concurrent Blu Girls head coach.

Ateneo, now winless in seven outings, will try to avoid a winless season when they take on idle University of Santo Tomas (2-4) on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

Jessica Daquigan suffered a sixth straight loss, surrendering 11 of Adamson’s 16 runs—four of them earned—over 2.1 innings.

Macasaet and Daquigan, re-entering in the third, absorbed the remaining five runs, officially sealing Adamson’s passage to the championship round.