Bernardino pitches Adamson to UAAP softball title

Adamson pitcher Rizza Bernardino led the Lady Falcons to an 11-1 win over the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons in the 74th UAAP softball tournament Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. Bernardino had five strikeouts and held UP to one hit in a stellar four-inning work on the mound for the Lady Falcons, who completed a 10-game sweep of the elimination round to clinch their 11th overall title. The 18-year-old Sta. Cruz, Laguna native also had three hits and two RBIs (runs batted in) to earn the season Most Valuable Player award. She also captured the Best Pitcher, Best Hitter and Most RBIs trophies. "We wanted to finish the season today. "I'm proud of the girls because they really showed heart to end the season today," said Adamson coach Ana Santiago, whose squad is composed mostly of national team standouts. Bernardino crossed home plate in the first inning where the Lady Falcons scored two runs to start off the game. Adamson exploded with five runs in the second to push the Lady Falcons’ lead to 7-0. The San Marcelino-based squad never gave UP a fighting chance in the game. The Lady Falcons won their first UAAP title in the 1997-1998 season under baseball legend Filomeno "Boy" Codinera. He won three more crowns after that before handing the reigns over to Santiago. Two other Lady Falcons bagged individual awards with Queeny Sabobo being named the league’s top rookie while Michelle Lentija was the homerun queen. — JVP, GMA News