MANILA, Philippines—The Adamson Lady Falcons needed only four innings to complete a 10-game elimination sweep for the second straight season and seize the UAAP softball championship outright Saturday.
Most Valuable Player Rizza Bernardino struck out five batters as the Lady Falcons overwhelmed the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 11-1, in the abbreviated match yesterday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
“She really showed a lot of confidence this season,” Adamson coach Ana Santiago said in Filipino of Bernardino, the 18-year-old pitcher who also bagged the Most RBIs (runs batted in), Best Hitter and Best Pitcher awards.
Bernardino also belted three hits and two RBIs in the romp that gave the Lady Falcons their 11th crown in the last 15 seasons.
The Lady Falcons, bannered by several national team members, bagged two more major awards with Queeny Sabobo emerging Rookie of the Year and Michelle Lentija posting the most number of home runs this season.
In women’s volleyball, University of Santo Tomas claimed the third semifinal berth after downing Adamson, 25-22, 25-21, 25-8, at the FilOil-Flying V Arena.
The Tigresses improved to 9-5 to join defending champion La Salle (13-0) and Ateneo (11-2) in the Final Four.
Adamson will dispute the last semifinal berth against Far Eastern University, which forged a tie at 8-6 after dismantling University of the East, 25-14, 25-18, 29-27.
La Salle (9-5) secured the last semifinal slot in men’s action by downing UP, 25-18, 25-17, 25-23.