ADAMSON PROVES DEPTH, BEATS UPIS FOR SEVENTH WIN
Something was amiss at the get go when Adamson faced UPIS for round two of the UAAP Season 85 Girls’ Volleyball Tournament Saturday morning at the Paco Arena.
While the Baby Falcons have had issues with starting slow regardless of who their opponent is, they were extra sluggish the entire first frame which gave the young Maroons the confidence to push Adamson’s starters to the limit.
Though the first six eventually survived the challenge in the first set, Adamson head coach JP Yude made drastic changes the following set, sending in his entire second unit led by setter Felicity Sagaysay and outside hitter Reian Lalongisip.
On benching team captain Shaina Nitura and the rest of his usual starters, Yude shares: “Panggising sa starters pero para din maka-rest sila. ‘Yung iba kasi may mga masasakit sa katawan.”
“Pero sabi ko nga sa kanila, hindi magiging rason ang mga sakit sa katawan kung maglalaro kayo ng maayos. Nandyan na ‘yan,” he added. “Kung nasanay katawan niyo, maglalaro pa rin kayo ng maayos.”
Fortunately for Yude, the second unit delivered.
With Sagaysay at the helm of offense, Lalongisip, Karla Sadia, and Fionna Inocentes fought valiantly against the starters of UPIS and successfully closed out the second frame with ease.
By the third frame, however, as the Baby Falcons were trailing 20-22, Yude had to call Nitura and starting libero Juris Manuel back into action to try and save the day.
“Nakikita ko wala nang leadership at all. Pinasok ko silang dalawa para ‘yung mga kasama nila magising,” he told Akari Sports.
Manuel provided stability on defense while Nitura delivered the final blow with a back row kill to give Adamson the win, 25-19, 25-20, 25-23.
The win gives the Baby Falcons a stronghold on the all-important second spot with a 7-1 win-loss record.
The San Marcelino squad returns to action on Tuesday, 12:30PM, at the same venue in a battle against UST.
