The Adamson University Softball Team has been the crown jewel of the school’s sporting program for the last eight years. Now, it’s the Baseball Team’s turn to share in the limelight.
The Adamson Soaring Falcons ended their eight-year title drought in the UAAP Seniors Baseball Tournament by taking a dominant 13-6 Game Two win to sweep the De La Salle University Green Batters, Friday afternoon at the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
| TEAMS | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 3th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th | R | H | E |
| DLSU (0-2) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 3 | ||||||
| ADU (2-0) | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | – | 13 | 17 |
Though not as masterful as their Game One win, it was equally as impressive.
“Unang una, nagpapasalamat ako sa Taas at nakuha namin yung Season 80. Mabuti na lang yung mga bata, kahit nag-score ng lima yung La Salle, hindi sila bumigay,” said Adamson head coach Orlando Binarao, who was also the head coach when the Soaring Falcons won the crown back in Season 72.
Needing to win this one to send the series to a winner-take-all bout, the top-seeded Green Batters stormed to a two-run opening inning, and followed it up with a walk of Kiko Gesmundo and a double by Boo Barandiaran in the third inning against Lexter Carandang.
That’s when Jerome Yenson took over the mound. Though Iggy Escano and Gelo Tantuico were able to connect against the season’s best pitcher for three runs, it was the last time they could spark a rally.
Diego Lozano faltered at the bottom end of the inning, as the Soaring Falcons were able to slice the deficit to just one run.
“Nung umiskor kami ng apat, alam ko na na amin ito. Sila naman bumaba yung morale hanggang sa lumamang kami ng walo. Yun talaga yung pinaghandaan namin, yung hitting. Buti naman nag-click,” recalled Binarao.
The Adamson storm continued in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Yenson popped a sac fly to center field for the tying run. Kyle Villafana then connected with a ground-rule double to bring in two more runs to gain the lead for good.
Adamson would punch in two runs in the fifth inning and four more in the sixth inning, as La Salle’s fielding panicked, while Herrera collapsed under the pressure. On the other end, Yenson was spectacular, allowing just one run the rest of the way.
The 21-year-old ace of Orlando, Binarao also went 3-of-5 at-bat to finish with 3 RBIs and 2 runs. And what a fitting end it was, as he was able to secure the final strikeout to seal the championship
“Oo nga yung lethal weapon ko. Buti bago siya nakaalis ng Adamson, may naiwan siya na legacy,” Binarao added.
This is Adamson’s 12th baseball crown.
“2010 pa huling champion namin. Sana sa mga darating na seasons, tuloy tuloy na maging contender kami,” Binarao added.
Outfielder Cholo Dominguez, catcher Paul Naguit, and outfielder Andre Palacios ended their UAAP career for La Salle.
Laguna-native Kenneth Badrina also played his final game for Adamson.
