Action between Adamson and UP in the UAAP Season 86 softball tournament, March 16, 2024 at the UP Baseball Field. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Adamson University passed its first test of the second round with a rousing 4-1 come-from-behind win over the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 86 softball tournament, Saturday.

The Lady Falcons, seeking their 11th straight championship, remained unbeaten in five outings while dealing the Fighting Maroons their third loss against three wins.

But the defending champions had to dig deep after falling behind, 0-1, at the UP Baseball Field. 

MJ Maguad forced an early error on UP shortstop Aila Subaldo to get on base to start a two-out rally.

After Alaiza Talisik sent a fly ball to Martine Francisco, three hits from Rem Herrero, Roma Cruz, and Nemay Mahinay drove in two runs for the San Marcelino-based side to snag the lead for good, as the squad added two more insurance runs in the second and sixth innings.

"After nung game namin against UP last week, happy ako na nag-work lahat nung adjustments namin nung training for the whole week today. One step closer sa goal namin, which is 'yung makapasok sa Top Two. Pero hindi pa tapos, need pa namin ng dalawang panalo," said Adamson head coach Ana Santiago.

Cruz and Mahinay both finished with two hits on three at-bats to pace the Lady Falcons' offense, with the former getting two runs batted in in that first-inning turnaround with Maguad and Herrero.

On the other hand, Ateneo broke through with a first win in the season with a similar 4-1 come-from-behind win against archrival De La Salle University.

The Blue Eagles scored one run in the second inning to level the game courtesy of Kyle Mejlliano, before sending Noelle Franco and Martina Nacion home in the next two innings for the 3-1 lead.

Danielle Tuprio put on the finishing touches in the debut win with an inside-the-park home run smacked to the middle of the field.

De La Salle and Ateneo are now tied at 1-5 for fourth to fifth places.