After figuring in their toughest season yet, the Adamson University Lady Falcons saved their best outing for last, taking a dominant 6-0 Game Three win over the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Softbelles in the UAAP Season 80 Softball Finals, Tuesday morning at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
| ADU (2-1) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | |||||
| UST (1-2) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
“Actually, it was not dominating. Sinabi ko nga kanila na hindi sila nakarating dito by chance, nakarating sila dito because they worked hard,” said Ana Santiago, who steered the Lady Falcons to eight straight championships.
Lyca Basa was excellent on the mound for Adamson as she gave up just three hits while fanning five batters in seven no-relief innings.
“Mas maganda rin yung pinukol ni Lyca Basa ngayon. Nung una, kinausap ko siya after Game One, umiyak siya nun. Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ikaw yun.’ Kapag hindi siya lumaban, hindi kami mananalo. Siya dapat ang magsimula,” Santiago remarked about her ace.
With Basa doing her job, it was up to the Lady Falcons batters to do their job.
Providing the spark was graduating shortstop Edna Severino. Severino hit a perfect 4-of-4, including a triple during the third inning that led to Adamson’s first run.
“Si Edna, hindi siya isa sa mga big hitters ko all throughout the season. Pero ngayon, she batted a 4-of-4. She’s inspired kasi last playing na niya,” Santiago beamed.
Confident that they were able to hit against the country’s top pitcher in Ann Antolihao, the Lady Falcons poured it on during the fifth and sixth inning. The strong Adamson flurry was capped by a 2-RBI single by Severino.
“Talagang nagtama sila, talagang ginusto nila. Yung mga players ko dati, sinasabi nila sa akin na ako raw ang inspiration nila. Pero last night, sabi ko sa kanila, na sila ang nag-inspire sa akin,” Santiago added.
Nichole Padasas had two RBIs as well.
Besides Severino, catcher Dely Covarrubias, designated hitter Gelyn Lamata, second basewoman Riezel Calumbres, and Chrystal Yamut ended their UAAP careers, going a rare five golds in five years.
On the other side, Antolihao, who is credited for four of the six losses of Adamson in the last eight years, ended her years of service to UST. She is joined by centerfielder CJ Roa and rightfielder Shiela Perales.
This is Adamson’s 17th softball tiara — four shy of the record of the Morayta Lady Green Sox.
