Written by Akari Sports Staff | Photo from The UAAP
Adamson completed a head-to-head elims sweep of University of Santo Tomas with a 27-25, 25-20, 26-24 win in the UAAP women’s volleyball eliminations Saturday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
The Lady Falcons tied their victims in third place at 7-5 and have already surpassed their six-win output last year by surviving a gritty Tigresses stand in the extended first and third sets.
“We thank the Lord for the win and sa pagbigay ng courage and everything sa mga bata this game. We expected talaga a very tough game because we know na UST ay lalaban and first round, natalo namin sila straight sets. I always reminded them, especially nung third set, na we keep on going and we don’t give up because everything possible will happen. Nothing’s impossible if we keep on going talaga,” Adamson coach JP Yude said.
“Nakita ko sa mga bata how they responded during that moment kasi I know yung mga bata pag ganoong situation, especially sa team namin, bumababa agad yung kumpiyansa. Pero, the thing is kanina, we overcame it. We thank the Lord talaga na sa game na ito, very challenging game, but we responded sa game properly,” he added.
Shaina Nitura was at her usual element with 19 points, 14 receptions, and 10 digs, while Nigeria’s Frances Mordi was also huge for the Lady Falcons with 18 points, 11 receptions, and five digs.
Adamson remained on track for its first Final Four appearance since 2023, finishing third.
Lhouriz Tuddao added eight points on six attacks and two blocks, while Fhei Sagaysay orchestrated the offense with 21 excellent sets, adding seven points built on three attacks, two blocks, and two aces.
“Thank you, Lord, din talaga kasi God’s will din na mag-sabay-sabay kaming maglaro. Very thankful lang ako kasi yung teammates ko, talagang team effort yung nangyari kanina at talagang ginustong manalo. Kapag may bumaba, tinutulungan i-lift up para hindi sila dumire-diretso,” Nitura said.
Adamson looks to strengthen its Final Four bid further when it faces University of the Philippines on Wednesday, before wrapping up its elimination-round campaign against Far Eastern University on April 18, both at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
