After serving her school for the last six years, pitcher Arlyn Bautista has decided to forego her final year in Adamson University.
The four-time UAAP champion, who is just 24 years young, revealed this during last Friday’s episode of The Prospects Pod, presented by SMART Sports and supported by Chris Sports.
The native of Tarlac City shared that she made this tough decision around the time the league decided to cancel the season last March.
“Para sa akin, siguro okay na po ‘yung anim na taon ko sa Adamson.
“Nakakalungkot po kasi ito na ‘yung last playing year ko, tapos nangyari itong pandemic na ‘to. Sayang ‘yung pinaghirapan namin before ng pandemic,” she shared.
“Before po kasi mag-lockdown, nagte-training pa rin kami eh. ‘Yung iba po nagsiuwian na pero kami po, training pa rin po kami. Nagsiuwian lang po kami nung nalaman namin na tapos na po ‘yung UAAP,” she continued.
There are no regrets for Bautista, though.
During her final year in Adamson, Bautista — who played behind Lyca Basa — was ever-reliable when the Lady Falcons ace had an off-game. She would close out several games that preserved victories for Adamson during Season 81.
Still, Bautista is not leaving the game of softball altogether.
Once the travel restrictions were lifted, Bautista went to Dasmariñas to coach the softball team of a high school there.
“Nagtatrabaho na po ako sa Dasmariñas, nagtuturo ng mga bata. Nagtuturo po ako ng softball sa Dasmariñas High School,” she bared.
One day, Bautista hopes to return to the UAAP. But this time, it will be as a coach, just like her mentor Ana Santiago.
“Kung papalarin naman po, why not po, ‘di ba? Kasi sobrang taas po ng ganon na posisyon eh.”
Come next season, Bautista is confident that the reigning, defending nine-time UAAP champions will be in safe hands as Ezra Jalandoni takes over the mound for Adamson.
