ADAMSON University eliminated University of the East (UE) from Final Four contention and boosted its semifinals bid with a 25-15, 25-18, 28-26 win in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.
Entering the Holy Week Break, the Lady Falcons soared to a 6-4 win-loss card to tighten their grip on the fourth spot of the standings.
The fifth-running Adamson is a game ahead of the fifth-running UST Golden Tigresses (5-4) who play the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Sunday.
The Lady Warriors stayed winless this season at 0-10 and extended their losing streak to 24 games dating back to last season.
“First of all, we thanked the Lord for the win and thank you, Lord, for the challenges during the game,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude.
“Every game there will be challenges, what we teach the team is how to respond to every challenge. It’s very timely because we simulated a pressure game yesterday, we executed a 20-15 disadvantage for our first six, so it’s very timely that it happened for today’s match. I’m very happy and grateful to the Lord for how the players responded to the challenge.”
As if serving an advance penance, Adamson dominated UE in the first two sets but trailed in the third at 8-16 and 16-21.
The Lady Falcons stayed composed, though, and chipped away at the lead to pull within 24-25.
A successful net touch challenge then prevented UE from extending the match to a fourth set, as Adamson held steady from there.
Shaina Nitura eventually finished the match with a cross court attack.
Nitura finished with 13 points, nine excellent digs and eight receptions, while Frances Mordi earned Player of the Game honors with 18 points, six excellent digs and six receptions.
Fhei Sagaysay tossed 12 excellent sets and four digs while Abe Segui added seven points and nine excellent digs in the win.
Khy Cepada pumped 14 points, four receptions and three digs to pace the Lady Warriors.