Adamson secures pole spot after rebound win vs UP
Date Posted: March 13, 2023 at 10:37 AM
The Lady Falcon batters are back on top of the UAAP 85 Softball tournament as they bury University of the Philippines, 7-3, at the UP Diliman Baseball Field, March 11.
With the win, Adamson did not only avenge their shock defeat against the UP, but also secure the No. 1 spot and home team advantage in the championship series slated this March 14. This means that the San Marcelino softbelles will be batting last in the first game of the best-of-three tilt.
In the post-game interview, decorated Head Coach Ana Santiago asserted that the victory was a morale-booster for her team as they have upturned the lone blemish in their elimination record.
"Sabi ko sa mga bata last night, ‘wag nila ‘tong i-treat as a no bearing game. I-treat nila ito para ma-boost ang aming morale. Buhos kami sa game na ito. This game is important because it is like a championship game for us," she said, recalling the 2-3 defeat they absorbed last February 25, via an 11-inning test of endurance.
"Dumating kami dito, ang goal namin is manalo kasi malaki siyang tulong sa pagpasok sa Game 1," the multi-titled coach furthered.
Adamson had a slow start, falling 0-2 in the bottom of the third inning, but a two-hit, three-run barrage ignited by a double from MJ Maguad slowly opened the floodgates for the Lady Falcons.
Three more runs from Alaiza Talisik, Aliza Pichon, and Angelu Gabriel quickly negated a one-run answer answer by UP and gave AdU the lead for good.
"Tumama mga batters namin. Si Glory (Alonzo) nung first game namin versus UP, we gave up three runs in 11 innings. Same din kay Ezra (Jalandoni), but in seven innings. Ang difference is tumama ang mga palo namin today," Santiago explained.
Santiago then continued lauding Jalandoni, who only allowed five hits and three runs, while retiring two batters.
"Buti na lang maganda ang pinukol ni Ezra. Ang maganda ngayon is I have two pitchers na puwede i-prepare for the Finals," said Santiago about Jalandoni.
Talking about their finals series which begins on March 14, Santiago remains modest on their chances to achieve a 10-peat reign, but made sure that she and her girls will give their all.
"Dito talaga everybody's ball game. Hindi mo alam sino magcha-champion e. Alam namin na hindi ito magiging madali compared sa past namin pero pagtratrabahuan namin ito," she said.
Reports from the UAAP Media Team
