Air 21, Air Force IXs clinch top spots

Adamson-Air21 and University of the Philippines-Air Force both scored twinkills yesterday to gain the top spots in the Page System semifinals of women’s play in the Philippine National Softball Open Championship at the Rizal Memorial track oval.

The Lady Falcons overcame Manila, 10-5, then walked over Bacolod Seniors while the Airwomen fashioned out similar 7-0 wins over Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Bulacan to pull away from the pack.

With identical 6-0-1 (win-loss-draw) records, the Lady Falcons and the Airwomen are now assured of a crack at the finals.

Under the Page System semis, the top two teams after the elims clash for the first slot in the finals. The next two teams battle in a separate game with the winner challenging the loser between No. 1 and No. 2 for the second finals slot.

Manila and Bacolod Juniors, bound for two different World Series in the United States next month, secured the No. 3 and No. 4 spots in the semis.

The Manila squad of Robert Evangelista put up a gallant stand before dropping their game against Adamson-Air21.

Karen Aribal hit homers in the fifth and sixth innings, sparking a comeback by the Lady Falcons en route to their crucial win over the Manila lasses.

Taking the cue from Aribal, Ma. Lisa Gaylon, Loverly Paruhinog, Sara Jane Agravante, Mary Joy Lasquete and Josel Aguilar also delivered for Adamson-Air21 later on as the Lady Falcons overcame a 3-5 deficit.

The Lady Falcons’ romp in the later innings put to naught Nelsa dela Gante’s grandslam in the third inning. It was only the third grandslam in the week-long tourney thus far.

"It went all the way out to the open field. It was spectacular but it wasn’t enough to dishearten Air-21-Adamson," said Manila coach Ana Santiago.