MANILA, Philippines - Three-peat-seeking Adamson University walloped University of the East, 7-0, to complete a 12-0 sweep of the UAAP Season 75 softball competitions and secure an automatic finals berth yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Lady Falcons unleashed six runs in the third inning while Rizza Bernardo and Julie Marie Muyco combined for a two-hitter as Adamson chalked up its 32nd consecutive victory that started back in Season 73.
But unlike the previous seasons when a sweep translated to an outright championship, the new rules award the unbeaten team only with a thrice-to-beat advantage in the finals.
The Lady Falcons of coach Ana Santiago will await the result of the stepladder semis. National University copped the No. 2 seeding with an 8-4 slate after a 4-0 triumph over La Salle yesterday. Third seed University of the Philippines (7-5) and fourth seed University of Santo Tomas (6-6) will dispute the right to play the No. 2 Lady Bulldogs in the next phase of the stepladder.
“We have the advantage because we’re already in the finals but then again, that’s no guarantee since we still have to beat our finals opponents twice (to win the crown). It’s still a long way,†Santiago said in Filipino.
Luzviminda Embudo belted a three-run double in the third inning while Muyco, Elvi Entrina and Bernardo slammed in an RBI each as Adamson seized control against UE.
Meanwhile, defending champion NU Bulldogs and UST Tigers dispute the remaining finals seat in baseball playoff action today at the Rizal ballpark.
The Bulldogs and the Tigers wound up tied for second with 7-3, behind No. 1 Ateneo (8-2), which already secured the first slot to the best-of-three championship series.