It took six grueling games and 696 days, but the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons finally cracked the code against long-time queens of the diamond, Adamson University Lady Falcons.
The last time UP had bested Adamson was on April 10, 2024. That evening in Diliman, KC Valino and Jamm’n Rasco carried the team on opposite ends of the field, nearly ending a championship drought. But Adamson had other plans, taking the next two games and extending their dominance into an 11th straight season.
UP came close in four more games during Season 87, inching toward a breakthrough, yet the Lady Falcons remained steadfast. It seemed only a matter of time before the three-time bridesmaids finally toppled the queens.
The Fighting Maroons boasted one of the most experienced squads in the tournament, featuring the same core that had defeated two iterations of Adamson in the first game of the tournament’s post-pandemic return in Season 85 and in the thrilling Game 1 of the Season 86 Finals.
This group, likely fighting for their final chance in the UAAP, included reigning MVP Nickole Dela Cruz, Valino, Rasco, Laica Atlas, Reuel Caoagdan, and Martine Francisco.
And last Saturday, UP took that crucial first step. Against a new batch of Lady Falcons, the Fighting Maroons claimed a 6–3 morale-boosting victory — a triumph built on years, even four seasons, of preparation against their formidable foe.
“Nung unang hindi kami naka-score, mineeting kami ni coach, pinaalala niya sa ‘min na, ‘Lahat ng tournament [sinalihan] natin, mapa-lalaki, mapa-babae, pinapaluan niyo; tapos dito kayo matatakot sa babae na kalevel niyo? ‘Yung mga coaches natin, sandamakmak ang bola na pinukol sa inyo, pinapaluan niyo nang malayo. Tapos dito ngayon,’” recalled Dela Cruz, captaining the squad for a third consecutive season.
“Parang naging wake-up call rin naman siya. Oo nga ‘no, mga babae lang din ‘to, tao lang din ‘to na kasing-level namin ‘to. Hindi naman sila gaano kataas para hindi maging hittable ‘yung mga bola. Napaalala lang sa ‘min na kaya niyo ‘yan, ka-level niyo lang ‘yan. Kaya niyo ring higitan ‘yan kasi ilang taon na tayong naghaharap; dapat kabisado niyo na ang bola ng pitcher,” she added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Mae Langga, who had delivered Adamson’s Game 1 victory last season, threatened UP’s confidence again with her third home run of the campaign, scoring two runs against Valino. But the Fighting Maroons bounced back in the following innings, with Valino and Rasco once again stepping up — just as they had on that April 2024 evening.
“Sa totoo lang, nung nasalo ni Danica (Aquino), ‘yung bola (for the last out), nahilo ako nang kaunti. Napagano’n ako sa ulo. Finally, natalo rin natin sila; ilang games na rin ‘yung winning streak nila. Sa wakas, mapapakita natin na kailangang matakot din sila sa ‘min, na kailangan talaga kaming paghandaan dahil hindi naman din namin gano’n-gano’n lang ibibigay ‘yung panalo,” said Dela Cruz after the victory.
“Hinding-hindi rin namin ‘to basta ibibigay, magpatayan man kami sa field.”
While the win provides a huge morale boost, it’s just one step in UP’s journey — not only to finally defeat Adamson, but to end a championship drought that stretches back to Season 70. For many of these seniors, next season might bring a completely different team.
For Dela Cruz, consistent team effort, like in this landmark victory, could be the key to finally ending that long wait.
“Nakita namin na nag-o-overthink kami kaya natatapat sa tao [yung palo], nagpa-pop-up lang. So, ang goal namin is patamaan mo, tsaka mo na lang diinan ‘pag mag-contact, hindi kailangang over the bakod. Hindi namin kailangan ng over-the-bakod na isa lang ang makaka-over kasi imposible. Kailangan namin ay sundot-sundot lang na palo na kailangan buong team ang magko-contribute.
“Kasi ‘pag gusto mo ikaw ang star player, walang mangyayari sa team mo. So, kailangan isa-isa. Hindi kailangan lahat kami star player dito. Isa lang ang rank naming lahat dito,” the captain explained.
With a long season still ahead, Dela Cruz hopes the Fighting Maroons stay grounded, taking every moment on the diamond as if it were a championship battle.
“Importante ‘to kasi ilang try kaming manalo, ‘di ba? Minsan, akala namin hindi [kaya]. Noong una silang naka-score, naisip namin na, ‘Matatalo na naman ba?’ Importante talaga ‘yung hindi bibigay. So ngayong nanalo kami, napakalaking confidence sa amin ‘tong binigay kasi alam namin na, ‘O, mas magaling pala kami sa batting, kailangan na lang din na dagdag na lang tayo sa depensa,'” said the UAAP Season 85 Collegiate Athlete of the Year for Team Sports.
“Kahit lagpas-lagpas bakod sila pumalo, kung lahat tayo magco-contribute, kaya pala nating manalo.”
