Adamson bags softball final slot

ADAMSON clinched an outright finals berth after completing an elimination sweep in softball while La Salle swept Ateneo in women’s volleyball in front of a record crowd of 19,638 in separate UAAP action yesterday.

Unbeaten since 2010, the Lady Falcons streaked to their 32nd straight victory after shutting out University of the East, 7-0, for a 12-game elimination sweep at  Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

Fighting for the last title berth in the stepladder semifinals starting Wednesday are National University (8-4), University of the Philippines (7-5) and University of Santo Tomas (6-6).

In women’s volleyball, the Lady Archers took down the Lady Eagles in straight sets, 25-19, 25-23, 25-21, to roll to their 12th straight victory yesterday at the packed Mall of Asia Arena.

Michelle Gumabao had 14 points built on nine attacks, three blocks and two service aces to lead the defending champions.

Abigail Maraño and Mika Reyes also combined for nine of 18 blocks to power the Lady Archers, who are already assured of the No. 1 spot and the twice-to-beat semifinal bonus with a 12-1 card.

“We didn’t do anything special, the players just came out with a lot of confidence,” said La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus.

The Lady Archers came out dominating from the get-go unlike last month’s showdown where the Lady Archers rose from two sets down for a thrilling five-set win, 26-28, 21-25, 25-13, 25-21, 15-13, that snapped the Lady Eagles’ unbeaten six-game run.

In the other match, University of Santo Tomas downed National University, 25-23, 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, to fan its Final Four bid.

Maika Ortiz had four blocks in a 15-point outing and Judy Caballejo delivered with 14 hits and 11 digs for UST.

The Tigresses climbed to fourth with a 7-5 record and moved ahead of the Lady Bulldogs (6-6) and idle Far Eastern University (6-5).

In baseball, NU and UST dispute the last championship berth in a knockout contest at 9 a.m. today at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The winner will go up against top-ranked Ateneo (8-2) in the best-of three finals starting Feb. 17. Both the Bulldogs and the Tigers wound up tied at the end of the eliminations at 7-3.