With “glory” in her name and greatness in her game, Glory Alonzo stood tall on the mound and carried Adamson University to a historic 12th straight University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) softball crown.
The Season 85 Best Pitcher and Finals Most Valuable Player delivered a masterful performance, leading the Lady Falcons to a dominant 4-0 shutout of University of the Philippines to complete a season sweep on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
This latest triumph extended Adamson’s dynasty to 12 consecutive seasons and marked their 21st championship overall in the league, tying them with Far Eastern University as the most successful program in UAAP softball history. It also served as the university’s first title for Season 87.
Alonzo was masterful through seven innings, allowing just a single hit — a fifth-inning knock from Martine Francisco — and giving up only one walk to Aila Subaldo in the third.
The dominant outing was a redemption arc for the ace pitcher, who struggled in Game 1 after surrendering two early runs to the Fighting Maroons. Still, Adamson recovered to take the series opener, 6-3, thanks to key performances from seniors Roma Cruz and Mae Langga.
“After Game 1, one of the things I had to address was my pitcher, Alonzo,” Adamson coach Ana Santiago said.
“What happened to her was very rare, so we had a heart-to-heart talk. I told her, ‘You have to redeem yourself because, for me, that wasn’t you. You may have had a bad game, but it doesn’t define your character. And at the same time, we’re giving you the chance to redeem yourself. I just want to show you that whatever happened in Game 1, the past is past.”
The Lady Falcons backed Alonzo with timely offense, scoring two runs each in the second and fifth innings to secure the shutout win.
Remelie Herrero broke the stalemate in the second inning with a single past UP second baseman Generose Torremocha, allowing Rookie of the Year Jhaycel Roldan to plate the game’s opening run.
Roldan, who finished with two hits and an RBI, also recorded a key putout on a Torremocha fly ball early in the game. Her all-around brilliance earned her the Finals MVP honor.
“Surprisingly, she’s just a rookie, but she really stepped up. Especially during crucial moments when we needed to score, she was the one who delivered. That’s really our thing — someone else stepping up when others are down,” Santiago said, referring to her prized recruit from Bacolod City.
Season host UP had their own moment of pride, with team captain Nickole Dela Cruz returning to action and earning the distinction of Season 87’s top athlete.
She was crowned Best Hitter (.692 BA), Best Slugger (1.077 SA), and Most Runs Batted In (14). Fellow outfielder Angel Pascual added to the accolades with the Most Stolen Bases award (4).