By Jonas Terrado
Defending seven-time champion Adamson scored five runs in the top of the sixth inning to complete a comeback 8-5 victory over University of Santo Tomas yesterday and force their UAAP softball finals series to a deciding third game at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
Krisha Cantor scored off a fielding error by shortstop Ruzle Jumuad with two outs in the sixth to break a 3-all tie before graduating Dely Covarrubias and Jeanette Rusia hit a pair of two-run singles in the same inning to give the Lady Falcons an 8-3 lead and eventually force a rubber match on Tuesday.
“Yun yung sinasabi ko sa kanila, pag naka-score tayo sa sixth inning, panalo tayo,” said Adamson coach Ana Santiago, whose team bounced back from a shock 6-3 loss three days earlier in the series opener.
UST tried to mount a rally in the seventh and final inning when Hannah Torre drilled a two-run double to center with two outs, but Adamson pitcher Lyca Basa retired Tanya Belano on the next at-bat for the final out.
The Falcons actually trailed 3-0 in the bottom half of the first when Basa coughed up a three-run homer by CJ Roa past the left field fence.
Adamson responded with two runs in the second before Flor Pabiana slammed a solo home run off UST ace Mary Ann Antolihao to tie the contest in the third frame.
Antolihao fanned six batters but gave up six earned runs off a season-high 11 hits in another no-relief appearance.
