The rematch of the last two UAAP Softball Finals turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Behind a masterful performance by Lyca Basa, the Adamson University Lady Falcons picked up their third shutout win of the season, blasting the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Softbelles in four innings, 14-0, Monday afternoon at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
As has been the norm for the season, Adamson’s offense was simply too overwhelming for the opposition. The Lady Falcons – who are gunning for a ninth straight championship – had 14 hits in the contest, which resulted in 14 runs against UST rookie Celyn Ojare. Moreover, only four batters were left on base.
“This year talagang nag-concentrate kami sa hitting dahil yung defense namin is not as solid as last year,” admitted Adamson head coach Ana Santiago. “So siyempre, iba pa rin yung depensa. Pero sa lineup namin ngayon, alam ko na maraming capable to hit some home runs. Yung mga walang palo last year, nagkaroon na ng power this year.”
Krisha Cantor – this season’s home run leader so far with two – continued her hot start to the season, going 3-of-4 at-bat for two RBIs and four runs. National team stalwart Arianne Vallestero, who is a one-and-done Lady Falcon, played her best game so far as well, tallying four RBIs while batting a .750.
But outside of the hitting, it was Lyca Basa who glued things together. Basa put on a masterful performance on the mound, allowing just one hit in three innings pitched while fanning five batters.
And this was a particularly important game for Basa. The Lady Falcon is now starting to regain her confidence after sitting out Adamson’s 10-0 victory over Ateneo last Saturday.
“Actually, nag-worry ako kay Lyca last year. Nagkasakit siya ten days before the UAAP. Bumagsak yung katawan niya. So nung kinausap ko siya ng heart-to-heart, sinabi ko na siya yung pinakamalaking factor sa depensa namin,” disclosed Santiago.
“Last week, talagang nag-double time siya. Ang payat niya nun at humina yung bola niya. Nakikita ko ngayon yung progression niya. Nung first game, mahina pa yung bola niya, UP game ganun din. Kaya pinahinga ko siya nung Ateneo game,” she continued.
“Yung determination niya at will niya nandun. Alam niya kung gaano siya ka-importante sa team.”
This is Basa’s third win of the season. She has just allowed four hits so far.
UST fell to 2-2.
Adamson look to make it five in a row when they face the National University Lady Bulldogs on Thursday, February 28 at 11:00am. On the other hand, UST hope to bounce back when they take on the University of the East Lady Warriors at 1:00pm.
Linescores:
ADU – 253 4 – 14 14 0
UST – 000 0 – 0 1 1
