It has been eight long years since University of the Philippines made it to the UAAP Softball Finals, but this season, they are finally back and ready to fight for the championship.
Among the key players who have helped the team reach this far is rookie first baseman Martine Francisco. Not only is she an exceptional defensive player, but she is also a solid hitter for the Fighting Maroons.
For Francisco, reaching the Finals is the culmination of everything the team has worked hard for, despite it being the first season for most of them.
“It is something we are hungry for.
“We want the championship, we want to win. We wanted to be here, we worked to be here, so it is not overwhelming at all. It is something we worked hard for,” she shared.
In Game 1 of the championship series against the reigning nine-time titleholders Adamson University, Francisco once again proved her worth by going 2-of-3 in batting, scoring one run, and assisting in five outs.
However, the Fighting Maroons fell short, suffering a 1-2 defeat and even losing one of their strongest batters, Nickole Dela Cruz, due to an injury.
Despite the setback, Francisco remains optimistic and vows that the team will come back stronger in the must-win Game 2 on Saturday.
“Expect the team to work harder. We will be aggressive, and we will come back for vengeance,” she confidently declared.
For Francisco and the rest of the UP Softball team, the road to the Finals has not been easy. However, their determination, hard work, and unwavering support for each other have led them to this point. With Francisco leading the charge, there is no doubt that the Fighting Maroons will give it their all in Game 2 and fight until the very end for the championship title.
