ADAMSON battled through adversity and overcame a tough University of Santo Tomas challenge, 25-23, 23-25, 26-24, 25-15, to annex a second straight V-League Collegiate Challenge crown Friday at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
In a showdown between the league’s most champions, the Lady Falcons delivered when it mattered most, pulling away in the fourth and final set to complete a two-match sweep of the Finals.
After reaching it this far even without its ace Shai Nitura for the majority of the tournament, Adamson had to deal with Fhei Sagaysay’s right ankle injury early in the first set that sidelined the newly-minted Best Setter for the rest of Game 2.
Fortunately for the Lady Falcons, substitute playmaker Bella Sapienza was able to pull it through and tossed in 19 excellent sets and scored two points in the biggest match of their campaign.
“I really appreciate mga bata on how they responded in bad situations all the time. Ganoon talaga iyan ang gusto naming ma-accomplish every time. Nawala yung first setter namin so medyo nag-off pero I really thank the Lord on how he puts our hearts on how we respond properly during that situation,” said coach JP Yude on how Adamson handled adversity.
“I’m grateful and blessed because on how the Lord is working on our lives. A little bit working, bumubunga. So I really always push the players, I always remind them,” he added.
Nigerian Frances Mordi, the tournament and Finals MVP and one the season’s Best Outside Spiker winners, followed up her impressive Game 1 performance with another 21-point outing, finishing with 18 kills, two blocks, and one service ace.
“That was what we’re working on, everyone playing for themselves without depending on anyone. I’m glad that we were able to play as a team without one of our strongest players. We were able to trust ourselves and the coaches,” said Mordi.
“We can play without her, but with her, we are stronger. It’s a win-win for everyone,” she added.
Nitura also starred in the championship-clinching victory, as the Alas mainstay matched Mordi’s 21-point output with 20 attacks and an ace.
Third Tuddao, who took the Best Opposite Spiker honors, chipped in 10 points, while Janna Dizon, who together with Eloi Dote bagged the Best Middle Blocker awards, contributed seven.
