The second half of UAAP season 80 officially got underway last February 1 with the opening of the Softball tournament.
It was a roller coaster opening week for the La Salle Lady Batters. After losing their first match to UP 4-8 last Thursday, they bounced back on Saturday by beating UE 5-4. And just yesterday, they once again faltered this time against 7-time defending champion Adamson 3-9.
Under a new head coach, the Softball team looks to finally seriously contend after so many losing seasons.
The La Salle Tennis team made their debut Saturday with the men’s squad winning their opening game against Ateneo 4-1.
On the following day however they lost to UST 2-3. Both schools clashed as well in the women’s division with La Salle also losing 1-4.
In Baseball action Sunday morning, La Salle came up big down the stretch to escame past Adamson 3-2.
La Salle’s breakthrough win would not have been possible without fourth-year pitcher Kiko Gesmundo.
With the game knotted at 2-all, the Soaring Falcons threatened to pull away in the eighth inning. Adamson were able to load up the bases with two outs. Composed, Gesmundo was able to force a flyball that went straight to the outstretched arms of right fielder Diego Lozano.
The team is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 4th place finish last year. They won the championship in Season 78.
The Green Spikers’ comeback trail falls short Saturday as they drop their season opener against UST 21-25, 16-25, 25-15, 25-23, 14-16.
Down 2 sets to none, the team fought their way back to force a decider. Trailing 9-12 in the 5th, they refused to give up and managed to tie the count at 14. Unfortunately, UST was able to make a crucial hit in the ensuing play and eventually won the match after a La Salle error.
Arjay Onia led the Green Spikers with 20 points followed by Raymark Woo with 15. They will next face UP on February 10.
_______
The La Salle Football teams will begin their campaign this week with the Green Booters going up aginst FEU this Thursday while the defending champion Lady Booters battle UP on Saturday.
The Athletics and Fencing tournaments will start this Wednesday and Thursday respectively.