MANILA, Philippines – Defending champion Adamson quelled the late rally of University of the Philippines to prevail in seven innings, 7-4, and stretch its long-running streak to 64 games yesterday in the UAAP Season 78 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The six-peat-seeking Lady Falcons seized a 7-0 cushion and came through with a crucial defensive stop in the bottom seventh to finish off the Lady Maroons.
“I’m always telling the players that every game won’t be an easy one for us especially since most of them have to adjust to different positions this year following the graduation of three players last year,” said AdU coach Ana Santiago.
The Lady Maroons unleashed a fierce fightback starting in the bottom fifth with Gabriella Paulinna Paz blasting a two-run double against AdU’s Annalie Benjamen.
UP threatened some more in the seventh as it filled the bases off an error by Benjamen, a fielder’s choice and a hit-by-pitch throw with just one out. DC Cruz drove in Marric Cabriana and Rose Alinsod with a single but the third man, Paz, was tagged trying to extend to third for the second out. AdU secured the last out with a putout.
“It’s good for them to experience a seven-inning game and a tight one as they gained experience and confidence throwing at their new positions and eventually they made a big defensive play that stopped UP’s momentum,” said Santiago.
AdU posted its second straight victory for the season and 64th overall.
“We’re actually not thinking about the streak. For us, regardless of the score or the winning streak, the most important thing is the game at hand and how to win it,” said Santiago.
National University kept its hold of the lead after racing to its third consecutive triumph at the expense of University of the East, 6-0.
University of Santo Tomas improved to 2-1 after shutting out Ateneo in six, 8-0.
UP slipped to 1-1 while UE dropped to 1-2 and Ateneo fell to 0-3.