MANILA – Adamson Lady Falcons pulled off a shocking upset over National University Lady Bulldogs, 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rookie Shaina Nitura led the charge on Sunday night with a game-high of 32 points built on 30 attacks and two aces, while also contributing 10 excellent digs and six receptions. With her all-around performance, Adamson improved to 4-7 in the standings.
Frances Mordi and Mayang Nuique backed her up with eight points each, helping the Lady Falcons claim their first win over the Lady Bulldogs since March 3, 2019, back in UAAP Season 81.
In the crucial fourth set, tied at 20-all, the Lady Falcons broke away with hits from Jen Villegas and Mordi, plus an error from the Lady Bulldogs, to establish a 23-20 advantage.
Mhicaela Belen tried to rally NU with an attack, cutting it to 21-23, but a service error from Erin Pangilinan handed Adamson match point. Belen scored once more, but Mordi ended the match with a decisive hit.
“Praise God for this win. Kapag will talaga ni God, gagawa siya ng paraan eh. Trinabaho ng mga bata itong panalo na ito, kahit na malakas ang kalaban, kakayanin,” said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
Belen led the Lady Bulldogs with 19 points, while Evangeline Alinsug added 16. Minierva Maaya and Alinsug contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, for NU (9-2), which missed the services of Alyssa Solomon due to an injury.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws overcame a thrilling fourth-set rally from University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons for a 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 victory.
Faida Bakanke top-scored with 20 points, built on 17 attacks and three blocks, to go with seven excellent digs as the Lady Tamaraws tied the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses at third place with a 7-4 win-loss slate.
Gerzel Petallo and Chen Tagaod added 14 markers apiece, while Jazlyn Ellarina contributed nine points for the Lady Tamaraws, which lost to the Fighting Maroons in the first round, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23./PN
