Adamson nears 13th straight softball title with rout of UP

The Adamson Lady Falcon celebrate their 5-0 crushing of the UP belles in Game 1 of their UAAP title showdown.

ADAMSON University moved to within a win of securing a 13th consecutive UAAP Softball championship after a decisive 5–0 victory over rival University of the Philippines in Game 1 of the Season 88 Finals on Monday at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Glory Alonzo shook off an early first-inning threat and delivered a steady performance in the circle, leading the Lady Falcons’ charge.

Adamson’s offense backed her up with eight hits, breaking through the typically reliable Fighting Maroons defense.

The Lady Falcons built control of the game early, scoring three runs across the second and third innings—more than enough cushion for Alonzo, who kept UP’s bats in check the rest of the way.

With the win, the San Marcelino-based squad moved to the brink of extending its league-record title streak.

Adamson will try to close out the series on Friday at 9 a.m. at the same Malate venue.

“Siyempre, malaking bagay talaga na nanalo ka sa Game 1, pero it doesn’t mean na tapos na. Kailangan pa naming magtrabaho pa rin, work harder, and kung ano pa ‘yung mga miscue namin, kailangan pa naming pag-aralan at i-analyze,” said long-time head coach Ana Santiago.

The Fighting Maroons threatened early, with Angel Pascual and Danica Aquino reaching base via a hit-by-pitch and a single, respectively. Two consecutive passed balls from Alonzo and catcher Victoria Magbanua created a dangerous situation, but the defense recovered in time, catching Pascual at home.

With runners on the corners, Alonzo settled down and delivered two quick outs, striking out Martine Francisco before helping retire Generose Torremocha at first to end the inning.

“Medyo hindi naging maganda ‘yung simula namin kanina, pero buti na lang, presence of mind and ‘yung heart nila nandoon. Kasi in that situation tapos batting order pa sila with no outs, parang impossible pa na ma-hold namin sila that time. Pero naging possible siya kasi naniniwala sila na kailangan nilang makabalik, and I think, ‘yun ang pinakita nila,” the national team coach added.

Alonzo, the reigning Best Pitcher, tossed a complete-game three-hit shutout while benefiting from an error-free defense. The Master of Arts in Physical Education major also struck out six UP batters.

Riding that momentum, Adamson’s offense came alive in the second and third innings, tallying four hits that led to three crucial runs.

Reyae Villamin sparked the attack with a leadoff single in the second inning, which MJ Libaton later converted into the game’s first run. In the third, Neomay Mahinay doubled to drive in Roma Mae Cruz before eventually scoring herself off a solid hit from team captain Mae Langga.

Villamin, a rookie out of Governor Felicisimo T. San Luis Integrated Senior High School, led the Lady Falcons with two hits and two RBIs, coming from a sacrifice fly in the third and a double in the fifth. Langga and Libaton also chipped in two hits apiece.

UP threatened once more in the sixth inning after Pascual singled and Nickole dela Cruz drew an intentional walk. However, two fly balls caught by shortstop Mea Tubongbanua ended the inning and effectively sealed the Game 1 victory for Adamson.

The Fighting Maroons were limited to just three hits in the contest, a stark contrast to their usual offensive output, including their 6–3 win in the first round.

KC Valino took the loss after surrendering three earned runs in the second and third innings, as UP heads back to the drawing board for Game 2.