From UAAP dynasty to Asia's Finest: Lady Falcons soaring at international stage
Date Posted: October 17, 2024 at 04:37 PM
Fresh from their historic UAAP Season 86 championship, the Adamson University Lady Falcons are proving their mettle on the international stage.
Now representing the Philippines in the 4th Asian Universities Women's Softball Asia Cup 2024 in Taichung, Taiwan, the team is continuing its reign of dominance, showcasing the same grit and determination that secured it its 20th UAAP title since joining the league’s softball tournament in Season 60.
The competition, which features top university teams from across Asia, opened with a tough challenge for the Lady Falcons. Their first game pitted them against world no. 2 Japan, where they fell short, 1-2, in a close and hard-fought contest. Despite the loss, the team remained resilient, taking valuable lessons from the defeat as they prepared to bounce back stronger.
And bounce back, they did. In their second match, the Lady Falcons faced Hong Kong and delivered a statement victory, blanking their opponents 13-0 in just four innings. This dominant performance set the tone for their next game, just a few minutes after -- a crushing 22-0 victory over India, completed in just three innings, solidifying their position as a serious contender for the tournament’s top prize.
The Lady Falcons' exceptional play was highlighted by their flawless pitching and a potent offense led by star pitcher Glory Alonzo and reigning UAAP 86 Most Valuable Player Angelu Gabriel.
Against Hong Kong, pitchers Reyae Villamin and Alonzo combined for a no-hitter. At the same time, the offense came alive with Gabriel, Alaiza Talisik, and Jane Marie Sigue driving in multiple runs to secure an early victory under the mercy rule.
In the second game of the doubleheader for Adamson-Philippines, Sigue took the mound as the starting pitcher against India and delivered another standout performance, striking out three batters in two innings while allowing no hits. Villamin closed out the game in the third inning, maintaining the team's perfect pitching record for the day.
Adamson’s hitters were unstoppable on the offensive side, with Jeelyn Pajotal leading the charge, tallying four hits and five RBIs. Libaton, Mahinay, and Cruz also contributed heavily, combining for 13 of the team’s 22 hits.
With the two decisive victories, Adamson improved their tournament record to 2-1, securing solo third place in the seven-team competition. However, their path remains challenging as they are set to face Singapore and South Korea, ranked _ and _ in the world, in a critical doubleheader that could determine their standing heading into the final rounds.
The tournament’s format is a single round-robin elimination, with the top two teams advancing to the gold medal game and the third and fourth teams competing for the bronze.
But for Adamson University, the stakes go beyond this single tournament. Head coach Ana Santiago, who has steered the Lady Falcons to numerous championships and was a champion Lady Falcon herself, shared insights into what has made Adamson such a consistent powerhouse in softball, highlighting the importance of national team participation, which gives the softbelles international exposure and a higher level of competition, also noting that Adamson’s close connection with the national team has played a key role in developing her players.
The country’s national team program is run by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL), led by its President, Jean Henri Lhuillier.
Santiago, who also serves as the head coach of the RP Blu Girls, stressed that Adamson’s success is built on more than talent—it’s about cultivating a winning mentality—character molded over the years to be tougher and have the drive for victory.
The Lady Falcons' rise from being UAAP champions to representing the Philippines on an international stage is a testament to their program's strength and commitment to excellence.
As the Lady Falcons continue their journey in the Asian Universities Women’s Softball Asia Cup, their rallying cry, “Laban Adamson! Laban Pilipinas!” echoes their pride in representing their university and their country.
With their sights set on a podium finish, Adamson aims to win and inspire future generations of Filipino athletes to dream big and strive for greatness on the international stage.
Backed by strong institutional support, including sponsorships from Metro Stonerich, led by Adamson University Alumni Association Inc. President Engr. Ibrahim “Bong” Nuno and Cebuana Lhuillier, through Mr. Lhuiller, the Lady Falcons, may be well-poised to continue their winning tradition in the international scene.
