Adamson University trounced University of Santo Tomas, 11-2, in just four innings to move on the cusp of annexing its ninth straight championship Friday in the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Pitcher Lyca Basa fanned out four batters to help the Lady Falcons, who scored nine runs in the opening inning, seize the 1-0 series lead.
“Actually noong first inning, noong una silang pumalo (Tigresses), medyo naging shaky si Basa,” said Adamson University coach Ana Santiago.
“Mabuti na lang at nakabalik siya. Maganda yung pitching niya and at the same time, mainit yung first inning namin. Yun ang nag-survive sa amin. Ang sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan lang natin ng one big inning para manalo,” she added.
In baseball, Iggy Escaño blasted a three-run homer in the bottom eighth and De La Salle weathered Gino Tantuico’s grand slam homerun in the ninth to beat Ateneo, 9-7, and inch closer in reclaiming the throne.
The rookies also delivered the goods for the Lady Falcons, with MJ Maguad producing three RBIs and two hits, and Clariz Lozada contributing two RBIs.
“Yun ang mga rookie ngayon, maganda at nag-step up sila. Yun ang kailangan ng team namin,” said Santiago. “Nakikita mo na lumalaban sila. Talagang gagawin nila ang lahat para makatulong sa team.”
Arianne Vallestero also had two of her team’s eight hits.
Adamson University guns for its 18th title overall in Game 2 slated at 8:30 a.m., on Tuesday at the same Malate venue.
Trishia Tiozon was the lone bright spot for UST with two RBIs, all in the third inning.
The Tigresses’ rookie pitcher Celyn Ojare struggled big time in the 1/3 innings she pitched.
Escaño’s homerun sent Diego Lozano and Boo Barandiaran home to give the Green Batters an 8-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth.
Kiko Gesmundo then scored another run to gain the needed separation before the Blue Eagles made a last ditch stand.
With bases loaded, Tantuico nailed the homerun to cut the deficit to 7-9 before Ateneo fell short on its fightback.
De La Salle shoots for its third title overall in Game 2 slated at 12 noon on Tuesday.