Roma Mae Cruz and Adamson University moved one step closer to another UAAP Softball Finals appearance, dismantling Ateneo de Manila University in just three innings, 17–0, for their fifth win of Season 88 on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Lady Falcons built on last Tuesday’s 4–2 victory over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, with Cruz driving in two more home runs this season, tying teammate and captain Mae Langga for the team lead with three.
Almost the entire batting lineup reached base and scored in the first inning, but it was Cruz who opened the scoring with her first homer of the game to center field, extending Adamson’s lead to nine runs. She then launched her second dinger, bringing in Victoria Magbanua and Chastene Jover as the lead swelled to 13.
Four more runs in the third inning finished the rout, giving Adamson a significant step toward its 13th straight title.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila after nung game namin against UP, huwag lang silang mag-overrelax or huwag silang masyadong magkaroon ng overconfidence. Tamang kumpyansa lang na kakailangan nila every time maglalaro sila kasi wala pa naman; malapit pero wala pa. So, pagtatrabahuhan pa rin; let’s continue to improve ourselves. Let’s continue to become better,” said long-time head coach Ana Santiago on her wards’ mindset heading into the home stretch of the eliminations.
“Every game, just play your game. Do not think of the outcome of the game; just play your game. Kung maganda ‘yung ipapakita mong performance, then, ‘yung gusto mong outcome ay makukuha mo rin,” added the concurrent national team mentor.
Cruz finished with six RBIs on two homers and a single, while Langga contributed four hits, including two doubles in the first inning, producing three runs. Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Jhaycel Roldan, also had two hits for Adamson.
On the mound, April Minanga, Mary Joy Alpitche, and Glory Alonzo allowed just one hit each from Ateneo. Minanga set the tone and took the win, while Alpitche retired four Blue Eagles in her 1.1 innings of work.
Adamson secured at least a playoff spot for the Finals after improving to a 5–1 win-loss record in this Philippine Sports Commission–backed tournament. The reigning 12-time champion sits just one game ahead of the University of Santo Tomas (4–1), which is set to face De La Salle University as of this writing.
The Lady Falcons will aim for a Finals berth when they meet the UST Tiger Softbelles on Tuesday’s opening game at 9 a.m.
“Ang sa ‘kin lang is maging fighter sila; i-handle nila ‘yung pressure. Tulad ng sabi ko sa kanila, importante na malaman nila ang difference between being scared and being nervous. Being nervous, it’s a positive thing; being scared is a negative thing. Gusto kong ma-identify nila ‘yung feeling na ‘yon,” Santiago said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Ateneo, Katrice Ditchon accounted for two of the team’s three hits, but the six early runs and eight errors proved insurmountable. The Blue Eagles will close their season against UP on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AdU | 9 | 6 | 2 | – | x | x | x | 17 | 13 | 0 |
| Ateneo | 0 | 0 | 0 | x | x | x | x | 0 | 3 | 8 |
