Lady Falcons survive Lady Bulldogs, keep perfect record in UAAP softball

MANILA, Philippines – Adamson survived a major scare from National U, banking on a timely hits in the fourth and fifth innings to salvage a 4-1 victory and maintain its immaculate slate in the UAAP Season 76 softball tourney at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.

Trailing 0-1 and failing to connect against NU hurler Mia Macapagal through the first three innings, the Lady Falcons broke through with a solo home run by Rizza Bernardino in the fourth that their offensive going en route to their seventh straight win and a 41-game streak overall since 2010.

"Medyo off ang palo, nagkasabay-sabay. Late na rin naka-pag-adjust dahil ngayon lang namin napaluan ang pitcher nila. Buti na lang nag home run si Bernardino at nabuhay kami (Our hitters were off, especially ranged against a pitcher we only faced today.  Bernardino's home run breathed life into our offense)," said Adu coach Ana Santiago.

NU jumped the gun on AdU, with Whell Ghene Nietes scoring off a double by Lovely Dyan Arago against starter Bernardino in the second inning. The upset was apparent until Bernardino decided to alter the complexion of the game in her turn at bat.

With outs, Bernardino whacked a 3-1 pitch over the centerfield fence for her third homer of the season that evened things up, 1-1. One NU error and three base hits for AdU followed, allowing Bernardino to reach the plate and give the Lady Faclons their first taste of the lead, 2-1.

Julie Marie Muyco replaced Bernardino on the mound at the start of the fifth and shut the Lady Bulldogs (4-3) out the rest of the way while the Lady Falcons sent two more runners home to complete the come-from-behind win.

With bases loaded, Luzviminda Embudo slammed a grounder to the infield to drive in Abobo and Adorable for a three-run margin.

"Napaghandaan kami ng NU. Expected naman namin yan, na after the first round, lahat ng kalaban mag-aadjust sa amin (NU prepared well against us. We're well aware that all our opponents are making adjustments against us so we have to be ready for them)," said Santiago.

In the other games, University of the East edged Ateneo, 7-5, while University of the Philippines squeaked past La Salle in eight innings, 5-4. The Lady Warriors and the Lady Maroons both improved to 3-4 while the Lady Archers and the Lady Eagles slipped to identical 1-6 slates.