UNIVERSITY of the Philippines moved into the cusp of a fifth UAAP Softball title after defeating Adamson University, 3-2, in the eighth inning of Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals series on Wednesday at the UP Baseball Field.
The Fighting Maroons will go for their first title since UAAP Season 70 (2007-08) when the two juggernauts meet in Game 2 of the series on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the same Diliman field.
With the first chance to break the 1-all deadlock in the extra frame, former national squad upstart Danica Aquino perfectly timed a second pitch from April Minanga to score Generose Torremocha for the lead.
Senior third baseman Jamm’n Joyce Rasco then put up the insurance run with a hit that scored Aquino—a lead that eventually stood the rest of the way.
The game turned to its last three outs for UP in the seventh and, of course, ace pitcher KC Valino obliged to steer the squad into dealing Adamson its first defeat of the season.
Valino eventually ended with a solitary earned run in that final offensive stance from the Lady Falcons, allowing only four hits and fanning six batters in the process.
“Nag-flash sa ‘kin mukha ng papa ko nung may naka-hit nung dulo. Parang ang sabi niya, ‘Ayusin mo bato mo.’ So, inisip ko kailangan kong i-sakto bato ko kundi magagalit siya,” said the San Miguel National High School product.
“Last na eh, kailangang ibuhos namin to lahat sa Sabado,” said the ace pitcher on what UP needs to do to secure the title.
Adamson took the initiative as Remelie Herrero followed up her hit to the right field against Aquino with an error forced on the latter to get on second base.
The Lady Falcons’ first baseman then scored the go-ahead with another miscue, this time on the throw by Valino.
The Fighting Maroons had a good chance of equalizing in the sixth inning with rookie Angel Pascual driving in a huge hit but was eventually adjudged out in the third on the relay throw from the Lady Falcons.
“Ang sinabi ko lang sa players ko is, ‘Don’t dwell on the call. Judgment call ‘yun.’ Ni-remind ko lang sila na last innings, hangga’t sa last out, walang bibitaw kasi ito ‘yung pinaghirapan namin buong year,” said UP head coach Ron Pagkaliwagan of how the squad grounded it out.
That, though, eventually found its well-deserved resolution with a trying run as Martine Francisco scored her senior second baseman Algrace Adajar, who earlier plucked her lone hit of the day and advanced to second with a Reuel Caoagdan single.
The Lines:
TEAM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 R H E
UP 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 8 2
AdU 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 4 1
