How Adamson Softball completes a decade of dominance in the UAAP

Apr. 21, 2023 – Discipline, courage, and passion— those are the topmost qualities Adamson University’s Softbelles uphold for over a decade after winning title after title.

The Lady Falcons just made history by unlocking its 10th straight win in the UAAP Season 85 Softball Tournament championship series sweeping a 2-0 victory in the best-of-three games over the Fighting Maroons in their homecourt at the UP Diliman Baseball Field on March 18, 2023, Saturday.

Succeedingly succeeded: What’s next for Adamson Softball coach Ana Santiago and the team after the delightful victory?

Her almost two decades of coaching career include a 73-now-74 winning streak, and a 10-Peat Championship, with a total of 14 Championships.

During her stint as a coach of the Philippine National Team, Santiago has also won International Softball Championships. The Soaring Falcon program has also produced players who would represent the national team in various international competitions, along with the RP Blu Girls.

The 10-peat title was yet their sweetest throughout the campaign, Santiago said during an interview with the Adamson News.

She stated, “this is part of my goal as a coach. Initially, when I made history with the 73-game win streak, sobrang happy ako dun pero nung na-stop yun, sabi ko sa sarili ko, “What’s next for my career?” kasi gusto ko sana ulit gumawa ng isa pang [historical feat].”

“Pag sinabi mo kasing one decade – 10 straight years – iba ang dating,” she added.

Despite being unbeatable for the past 9-years, she confessed that they were confident about the previous seasons they had until UAAP 85.

“Before the pandemic, sure ako na magchachampion kami because of the team I have that time pero itong taon na ito, sinabi ko kahit kay [Adamson Athletic Director Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM] na hindi tayo sigurado this year.”

“Talagang sobrang struggle itong season na ito para sa akin at grabe din yung preparations namin kasi alam kong kailangan and unlike before, ito alam kong mahihirapan kami kaya kailangan kong i-adjust yung mga dapat naming gawin para ma-adopt ng players,” she furthered.

One more thing that affects most of her strategy as a coach is generational differences among her wards, forcing her to make an extra effort to make minor changes to her coaching approach.

“Kailangan kong i-adjust yung kung ano ako as a coach sa kung anong players meron ako kasi kailangan mo ring maintindihan yung mga players ngayon para yung takbo ng team and trainings, magkakaintindihan kayo.”

When asked about how she motivates her players, she revealed that her opening statement is always to go for the gold. However, she toned it down with a step-by-step mentality until they got to push through the championship.

Although the team encountered their first loss to the UP Fighting Maroons in the first round of the tournament, Santiago still managed to clutch the game by talking to her team and reminding them to snap back, wrap up this “history in the making,” and make it a history.

What’s great about the Soaring Falcon program is that there’s someone who is, most of the time, ready to fill in the empty seat.

The multi-awarded coach also mentioned that this is a way to show appreciation to her mother, and her late coach in Adamson, Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, coach of the Philippines baseball and softball.

Coach Ana G. Santiago, a former national team player, who wore jersey no. 6, had her jersey framed and displayed in the university museum.

As long as Coach Ana pulls the strings, the Adamson softball program seems to show no meltdown and will keep on bringing honor to both the institution and the country.

Unawakanahimo!