Ateneo batters gain finals; hot FEU booters in Last 4

Defending champion Ateneo booked the first Finals slot in baseball while reigning titlist Far Eastern University reached football’s last four in a busy UAAP schedule yesterday.

Adamson also swept softball’s first round while Ateneo and La Salle kept a strong hold of the top two spots after dismantling separate opponents in women’s volleyball.

The Blue Eagles secured a fourth straight Finals appearance after downing National U, 9-4, for a 7-0 record in the baseball tournament at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Adamson also remained unbeaten in softball as the four-time champions completed a 6-0 sweep of the first round.

The Lady Falcons hacked out an abbreviated 11-1 win over La Salle to extend their amazing victory streak to 54 since 2011.

In men’s football, Eric Giganto fired four goals as the Tamaraws shut out University of Santo Tomas, 6-0, to advance to the Final Four with 27 points at Moro Lorenzo field.

University of the Philippines (27 points) and La Salle (26) tripped separate opponents to likewise clinch semifinal slots.

The Maroons edged University of the East, 2-0, while the Green Booters turned back Adamson with the same score.

In women’s volleyball, the Lady Eagles rallied from a 3-15 in the third set before dispatching University of the East, 25-22, 25-17, 26-24, at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Alyssa Valdez fired 14 points to power Ateneo to a 13th straight victory, one shy of an elimination sweep and an outright title slot.

Ara Galang shone with 20 points as La Salle blasted Adamson, 25-13, 25-15, 25-17, for a 12-1 card.