Manila: Unbeaten University of the Philippines shocked Adamson University, 6-3, Saturday to snare its third win in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Fighting Maroons, who were down by a solitary run after four innings, exploded for five runs over the next two frames to beat the 12-time champion Lady Falcons for the first time since Game 1 of the Season 86 finals. Two-time Most Valuable Player and captain Nickole Dela Cruz delivered two singles to spark the offense in the third and fourth innings, while Jamm Joyce Rasco extended the scoring with two doubles in the same frames.
Rasco's three hits, including the two doubles, drove in three runs, scoring Dela Cruz twice in the third for the tying run and in the fourth to extend the lead to 5-2, and plating Martine Francisco to put up the sixth run for the Fighting Maroons. "The ball is round and that's it, there's luck. I also said, all my preparation in training, it all matters when it comes to the game," coach Ron Pagkaliwagan said.
After giving up a home run to Mae Langga in the first inning, the Adamson senior's third of the season, KC Valino and the UP squad tightened up on defense, allowing just four more hits and one run the rest of the way. The Fighting Maroons made seven hits and six runs from the first through the seventh innings.
UP will go for a first-round sweep against University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 9 a.m. Tuesday while Adamson will face De La Salle University (1-2) at 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, UST clobbered Ateneo de Manila University, 7-2, to claim a share of second place with Adamson at 2-1. Ateneo has yet to win in four matches. "That's over, because we have a game against UP this Tuesday. And regarding Adamson and the next games, maybe we'll set a new lineup," coach Sandy Barredo said of their adjustments for the coming matches. He stressed the need for more consistency in contributions. "I just let them play. Some contributed but others still haven't, so I am planning to make a revamp next year for those who aren't very useful," Barredo said.
