Adamson University’s Mae Langga delivers another home run in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Tuesday (March 3, 2026). Langga led the Lady Falcons to a 25-0 victory over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles. (Contributed photo)
Malate was a proving ground on Tuesday as Adamson University and University of the Philippines flexed their firepower in contrasting but equally commanding victories to seize a share of the early lead in the UAAP Season 88 softball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Adamson delivered the loudest statement of the day, detonating for a 25–0 demolition of Ateneo de Manila University in a game that quickly turned into a showcase of offensive precision and depth.
Mae Langga headlined the onslaught, blasting her second home run of the season — a towering drive over the left-center fence off Gabrielli Profeta — to punctuate the Lady Falcons’ dominance. The veteran slugger, who famously powered Adamson past UP in last season’s Game 2 thriller, once again proved she thrives under bright lights. She finished with three hits and four RBIs, setting the tone for a relentless batting display.
Reyae Villamin added four hits and three RBIs as Adamson’s lineup fired in succession, stringing together timely hits that left Ateneo scrambling for answers.
Longtime head coach Ana Santiago credited her team’s improved approach at the plate after a modest offensive showing in their opener.
“At least after the first game, we focused a little on our hitting. And our hitting was good today — like Langga’s home run — and then their hits were coming one after another, they were timely,” Santiago said. “We need this in our two remaining games because I told them the opponents are getting stronger and stronger.”
While the bats roared, Adamson’s pitchers ensured the shutout stayed intact. Glory Alonzo allowed just one walk and struck out two batters in a composed outing, while April Minanga chipped in with a strikeout and routine infield outs to close the door.
Across the diamond, UP methodically dismantled De La Salle University, 4–0, in a display of disciplined pitching and opportunistic offense. The Fighting Maroons kept La Salle’s hitters in check throughout, reinforcing their credentials as a legitimate contender in what is shaping up to be another tightly contested season.
The twin victories set the stage for a marquee clash on Saturday at 9 a.m., when Adamson and UP — rivals in the championship picture over the past three years — collide in a match that could reshape the first-round standings.
Santiago, aware of the stakes, emphasized composure and trust in preparation as her squad gears up for the showdown.
“I expected that when they played UP and La Salle, the game would be good because our opponent was really strong,” she said. “Just keep the composure, have presence of mind. Just trust the process — what they trained for.”
She added that confidence will be critical, especially for Adamson’s new faces stepping into a rivalry that has defined recent title races.
“They need to carry that confidence. Let’s see how they play in the next game against the team we’ve been competing against for the past three years in the championship. Let’s see how our new players will respond to that kind of game.”
Elsewhere in the standings, University of Santo Tomas and La Salle sit at 1–1, while Ateneo remains winless through three outings — a stark contrast to the surging pace set by Adamson and UP.
With momentum building and rivalries rekindled, UAAP Season 88 softball is already heating up — and the weekend showdown promises to turn up the temperature even further.