Mae Langga’s clutch hit lifts Adamson past UP, one win away from UAAP softball ’12-peat’

Mae Langga stepped up in a crucial moment, propelling Adamson University to a 6-3 come-from-behind victory over University of the Philippines, moving the Lady Falcons just one win away from securing their 12th consecutive UAAP Softball Tournament title, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Lady Falcons will look to close out the series for a historic ’12-peat’ on Saturday at 9:00 AM at the same Malate, Manila venue.

With the game tied at three runs apiece and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Adamson needed a spark.

Enter Langga, a third-year standout from the University of Santo Tomas, who was called from the dugout to pinch-hit for lead-off batter Neomay Mahinay.

Langga took the first pitch from KC Valino and then perfectly timed the second, sending the ball deep into left field and past Kate Nueva, allowing Mary Jane Libaton and Madaelene Domaug — who had come in as a pinch runner for Aliza Pichon — to score off a crucial double.

Roma Mae Cruz, who had substituted for Mae Tubongbanua and was intentionally walked in the previous sequence, added an insurance run in the sixth, scoring off an MJ Maguad sacrifice fly to UP right fielder Laica Atlas.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

“I’m proud of them na may mga nag-step up nung kailangang-kailangan, kasi medyo bad ‘yung aming start kanina. Ito na siguro ang isa sa pinakamarami naming errors sa first inning. Siguro may a little bit of pressure sa kanila,” said head coach Ana Santiago.

“Good thing is nakabalik sila. Sabi ko sa kanila nung nag-timeout ako — pinakamaaga kong timeout, first inning pa lang — na matagal pa ‘to. Huwag nating intindihin ang score, ang importante, makabalik tayo. Walang bibigay at maniwala tayo na kaya niyo pang maipanalo ‘to.”

Jane Marie Sigue, who started for Adamson in both elimination-round games against UP, impressed in her UAAP Finals debut. She limited the Fighting Maroons to just one run over the next few innings after Season 85 Best Pitcher Glory Alonzo conceded two runs in the first.

Last year’s Finals MVP, April Minanga, then took over in the final 3.1 innings, sealing the win despite allowing a lone hit from Generose Torremocha in the seventh. Minanga quickly negated the hit by anchoring a decisive double play in the next sequence.

A precise pitch to UP captain Nickole Dela Cruz led to a sharp play by third baseman Mahinay, who caught Torremocha on the throw to second baseman Maguad. Maguad then tagged out Dela Cruz at first base, ending the game in two hours and 40 minutes.

“Sabi ko lang sa kanila, sa mga sitwasyong kinakailangan, basta nagtitiwala kayo sa sarili niyo, hindi naman kailangang nasa first nine kayo. Kahit nasa bench kayo, ang gusto kong itatak niyo sa isip niyo ay ‘I’m always ready when the team needs me.’ Ayon ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila,” added Santiago, who also serves as the head coach of the national softball team, the Blu Girls.

(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team

UP initially took a 2-0 lead but struggled to generate offense in the following innings. Sigue and Minanga combined to shut down the Fighting Maroons, with Danica Aquino being the lone bright spot, tallying two hits in three at-bats.

Dela Cruz, who had blasted a home run against Adamson in the second round, was stifled in this series opener, going 0-for-4, including a strikeout in the pivotal fifth inning while leading off.

Valino was solid for UP through the first six innings before faltering in the bottom of the sixth, surrendering three crucial runs courtesy of game-changers Cruz and Langga.