When the UAAP Season 86 Softball tournament began, Adamson University head coach Ana Santiago expressed her excitement about the competitiveness of the season.
And until the very last game of the season, the Lady Falcons had to grind it out against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
When the dust settled, however, Adamson bagged yet another UAAP tiara, and Santiago was happy, not just with the result, but with how the two teams battled it out for the title.
“It’s good for the sport kasi ang ganda talaga ng laro. And masasabi mo talaga na championship game. And lucky for us na sa amin umayon ‘yung kapalaran ngayong araw, and I’m happy for that,” the long-time tactician shared.
Santiago lets us in on one secret as to why Adamson University continues to reign.
“This is a program and ‘yung national team talaga is a big help sa aking program, kasi may mga players ako sa national team,” the concurrent RP Blu Girls head coach shared.
“So, in-encourage talaga ‘yung mga university na tuwing in-invite namin ‘yung mga players, ipadala nila. It will help their players na ma-expose and mag-improve, mag-grow, at the same time, those players could help their mother team ‘pag bumalik sila. So, sana ganon.”
The former Lady Falcon standout also continued that the program of the sport’s national sports association, the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines, was a solid foundation from which the universities in the UAAP could draw inspiration.
“If you can see the program of Adamson because many times na may players ng Adamson na naglaro sa national team; it is because it is part of the program ng ASAPHIL. And I think nakatulong ‘yung experience. Nakikita niyo naman kung paano ‘yung naging character ng players ng Adamson — naging palaban,” Santiago said.
“I’m encouraging my fellow coaches in the UAAP schools to help their players grow. After ng service nila sa national team, mapapakinabangan sila. And it shows sa Adamson.”
