UAAP: Lady Falcons Stretch Softball Supremacy With 9th Title
Adamson University drew the best from Arianne Vallestero to beat University of Santo Tomas, 11-2, to extend its reign to nine years Tuesday in the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
A transferee from National University, Vallestero capped her collegiate stint by delivering two hits and three runs in the title clincher.
“Dito ko siya kailangan sa year na ito. Siya ang nagdala ng game na ito. Lahat ng individual awards halos kinuha niya,” said coach Ana Santiago, who gave Vallestero a warm hug after the Lady Falcons won their 18th championship overall.
“Sinabi niya sa akin, salamat sa din iyo ate Ana at nakaranas ako na maging champion sa UAAP.”
Vallestero emerged as the season MVP to go with Best Hitter (.556), Best Slugger (.972) and Most RBIs (16). She shared the Most Homerun award with UST’s Charlotte Sales with three and Most Stolen Bases with her teammate Angelu Gabriel with six.
“Wala akong pressure. Hindi ako kinakabahan. Ini-enjoy ko lang. All out na rin ako,” said Vallestero.
Aside from capturing the Finals MVP honors, Lyca Basa made it two in a row as the league’s Best Pitcher with 1.167 earned run average.
Nicole Padasas also shone with four hits and three RBIs, while MJ Maguad and Jeanette Rusia scored two runs for Adamson University.
The Lady Falcons, who only dropped only a single game this season, swept the best-of-three series, 2-0.
Later, Gino Tantuico belted out a two-run homer in the bottom seventh as Ateneo extended the baseball championship series with a 7-3 win over De La Salle.
Javi Macasaet delivered four hits while pitcher Miggy Angeles, in a sensational no-relief job, struck out two batters to help the Blue Eagles tie their best-of-three duel to one game apiece.
Game 3 is set on Friday noon at the same Malate venue.
Following up his grandslam homer in last Friday’s series-opening 7-9 loss, Tantuico’s homerun gave Ateneo the needed cushion at 7-2 in the bottom seventh.
Sales took home the Rookie of the Year award, while De La Salle, meanwhile, achieved its first softball podium finish in 14 years.
