Adamson-NU showdown looms in UAAP softball

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson continues to lord it over UAAP women’s softball by going unbeaten the past three seasons. But hot on the Lady Falcons’ heels in Season 76 are the National University Lady Bulldogs who this early look ready to engage the reigning three-time champions in another title showdown.

Adamson, unbeaten in 37 matches, the longest in any sport in the league, since Feb. 13, 2010, when they were stunned by University of Santo Tomas, 3-8, has given up only one run in Season 76 to underscore its bid for a fourth straight title.

Despite losing Season 75 Most Valuable Player Michelle Lentija to graduation, the Adamson squad still has enough firepower in Luzviminda Embudo (Season 73 MVP) and Rizza Bernardino (Season 74 MVP) to open up their season with a 10-0 shutout of UST in four innings, followed by a 7-0 demolition of University of the East and a 12-1 rout of De La Salle.

NU, meanwhile, is also unbeaten in three games, routing De La Salle (9-3), University of the Philippines (8-5) and Ateneo (12-2).

The much-anticipated first-round clash between the league leaders is set on Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial stadium. Other clashes pit Ateneo against UP at 9 a.m. and De La Salle against UST at 11 a.m.

UP (2-1) is running third this season, followed by De La Salle (1-3) and UE (1-3). Ateneo (0-4) yielded three come-from-behind losses to be at the bottom of the field.