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MANILA, Philippines — Adamson University racked up another perfect campaign in UAAP softball as it defeated University of the Philippines (UP), 10-0, to claim the Season 77 championship Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
The Lady Falcons stretched their unbeaten run to 62 matches for their fifth consecutive championship and 14th overall. It was also their 11th under coach Ana Santiago.
“Ito ang bunga ng tuloy-tuloy na training at magandang programa,” said Santiago. “Nandoon ‘yung will para manalo sa game. This is the first time we got a five-peat.”
Queeny Sabobo, who shared the Most Homeruns award with Cristy Joy Roa of the University of Santo Tomas, fired the game-clinching two-run homer in the final inning to finish with two RBIs and two hits for Adamson.
After fanning out 12 batters in the Lady Falcons’ 6-0 win in last Tuesday’s opener, Annalie Benjamen sustained her impressive play with four strikeouts and allowed only three hits.
Benjamen won a second consecutive UAAP Most Valuable Player award, and also bagged the Best Pitcher, Best Hitter, and Most RBIs plums.
“Yung lahat ng pinaghirapan namin, nandonn lahat ‘yung kinalabasan,” said the 22-year-old Benjamen.
Santiago credited the Lady Maroons, who matched their second place finish in 2011, when the Lady Falcons began their softball dynasty.
“UP is a strong team. Hanga ako sa kanila. Marami silang rookie, pero hindi sila bumitaw,” said Santiago. “Mga fighter ang mga ‘yan. Ang sabi ko sa mga bata, if we want to win, kung anong lakas meron ang kalaban, higitan natin.”
“If we want to be a winner, we have to play like a winner,” said Santiago.
Adamson got a huge chunk of the individual awards, as Gelyn Lamata shared with Benjamen the Most RBIs nod, while Lorna Adorable took the Most Stolen Bases honors and Florabelle Pabiano took the Rookie of the Year plum.
Game 2 of the championship will be aired Friday on ABS-CBN Sports+Action.
Photo: Josh Abeleda ABS-CBN/Twitter
This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNNews.com
