With five players set to graduate at the end of the season, Adamson University looked to bolster its roster with fresh talent capable of sustaining its storied legacy as the queens of UAAP Softball.
Enter Jhaycel Roldan, a rising star from Bacolod City.
With most of the current squad also hailing from the “City of Smiles,” it was only fitting for Coach Ana Santiago to tap into familiar ground — especially when that talent came with international experience from Little League.
Roldan wasted no time making an impact. In their second-round victory over the University of Santo Tomas, she tallied two hits in three at-bats and played a pivotal role in a game-saving defensive stop at home plate with catcher Aliza Pichon, denying Erika Fernandez a potential tying run in the third inning.
Her standout performance in that game was just one part of a consistent season that ultimately earned her Rookie of the Year honors. Roldan finished among the top seven in all major batting categories, with a .533 batting average (3rd), a .733 slugging percentage (5th), and nine RBIs (3rd).
But Roldan didn’t stop there.
She stepped up again on the biggest stage — the UAAP Finals — despite it being her first-ever appearance. Her all-around play on both offense and defense against the University of the Philippines earned her the Finals MVP award.
“Surprisingly, she’s a rookie pero nag-step up siya. Lalo na ‘yung crucial na kailangan naming umi-score, siya ‘yung ando’n para umi-score. ‘Yun naman ‘yung ano namin eh, ‘yung may mag-step up na iba, ‘pag nawawala ‘yung iba,” said Coach Santiago of her prized recruit from Bacolod City National High School.
For her part, Roldan was grateful to play a role in continuing Adamson’s dynasty.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Masaya po kasi hindi ko naman po ine-expect na magiging maganda po ‘yung game ko ngayon. Siguro po, nagtiwala lang rin po ako sa sarili ko kaya nagawa ko ‘yung part ko,” she said.
In Game 2 of the Finals, the 19-year-old opened the scoring by sending senior first baseman Remelie Herrero home with a powerful hit to right-center. She then crossed the plate herself off a hit by Mea Tubongbanua, giving Adamson an early 2-0 lead.
In a tight championship match, that two-run cushion proved crucial. It became the game’s defining moment as Roldan and the Lady Falcons secured their 21st UAAP title, extending their championship streak to 12 consecutive years.
“Sobrang saya po at nag-te-thank you ako kay Lord, kasi po ‘yun po talaga ‘yung pinag-pray ko, na mananalo po kami,” Roldan shared.
“Ngayon po na nag-champion po uli kami, mas gagalingan ko pa po sa training at sa laro. Mas makikinig at magtitiwala pa po ako sa coaches namin, at tatapangan ko lang sa bawat laro,” she added.
Having achieved her primary goal, Roldan now sets her sights even higher. Based on her rookie year in the country’s most competitive collegiate softball league, that ambition seems well within reach.
“Siguro po next ko is sa national team, pero hindi pa po sure,” the emerging star said.
As veterans Herrero, Pichon, Alaiza Talisik, MJ Maguad, and Maedelene Domaug move on following Saturday’s championship, Coach Santiago and her staff are already preparing for life without them.
Still, the future looks bright. With a rising star like Roldan in their ranks, the Lady Falcons have every reason to believe their dynasty is far from over.
