ADAMSON University aims to string together its first winning streak of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament when it faces last-place University of the East on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The Lady Falcons, who have been alternating wins and losses so far, hope to break that pattern in their 11 a.m. duel with the Lady Warriors.
Defending champion National University, coming off a tough five-set loss to Far Eastern University, will try to get back on track against Ateneo at 5 p.m.
Adamson is on track to secure its first Final Four appearance in three years, currently tied with University of Santo Tomas in fourth place at 5-4. The Lady Falcons are also one game behind the Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Bulldogs (6-3) in the race for the No. 2 spot in the Final Four.
Finishing No. 2 after the eliminations is crucial, whether under the traditional Final Four format—where a team earns a twice-to-beat advantage—or the step-ladder format, where a team receives a bye and waits for the winner of the first do-or-die match.
Fortunately for Adamson, it has not lost back-to-back matches this season. Coach JP Yude hopes the Lady Falcons will soon win two in a row.
It also helps that Shai Nitura, still the league’s leading scorer, has plenty of offensive support from Nigeria’s Frances Mordi, the second-best scorer, and rookie Joy Aseo. Adamson’s middles, Lhouiz Tuddao and Eloi Dote, are contributing as well, with the league’s second-best setter Fhei Sagaysay, working to involve everyone.
“Satisfied naman ako because of different challenges every time, especially kanina,” Yude said after the Lady Falcons overcame a tough second set to beat the Blue Eagles, 25-17, 27-25, 25-16, last Wednesday.
“So, it’s always looking lang talaga for a good side on how we dini-develop ‘yung karakter ng mga bata and attitude during the game. So, especially in the second set, on how they respond properly. So, for me, it’s a very good thing na nadaraanan namin ‘yung ganito. May negative side, may positive side, pero we always look for the good talaga every time sa mga sitwasyon,” he added.
Adamson cannot afford to repeat the complacency seen in the first round, when UE managed to steal a set before losing, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18, last Feb. 21. The Lady Warriors, winless in nine matches, are looking for ways to break through, hoping to challenge the Lady Falcons by correcting mistakes from their first meeting.
NU suddenly finds itself three games behind unbeaten De La Salle (9-0) for the No. 1 spot. The Lady Bulldogs are now focused on recovering from last Sunday’s heartbreaking 23-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-21, 20-22 loss to the Lady Tamaraws, where they failed to complete a reverse sweep from the first round.
Defeating the teams they are expected to beat is essential for NU at this stage, where every victory counts, especially against Ateneo, which, despite its 1-8 record, plays without pressure.
In the men’s division, the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs are not taking the Blue Eagles lightly in the 3 p.m. matchup. NU comes off its biggest win of the season, a 28-26, 17-25, 24-26, 25-11, 15-8 victory over erstwhile unbeaten FEU, bringing its record to 7-2.
Ateneo, meanwhile, seized solo fourth place at 5-4 following last Wednesday’s 25-19, 25-27, 25-22, 25-20 win over Adamson.
“Sa ngayon kasi, hindi lang physical ang tine-train namin kungdi mental. Pagdating sa ganyang bagay kasi, ‘yung focus dapat nandu’n pa rin. Mahirap kasi minsan kapag nananalo ka sa ganyang game, minsan nawawala,” NU’s Buds Buddin said.
“Dapat ‘yung focus — ‘yung eagerness mo to win every single game — ay nandu’n pa rin. ‘Yun kasi ‘yung pinaka-goal namin eh: to win every single game. Step-by-step muna, kasi sinasabi lagi sa amin ni coach (Dante Alinsunurin) na, ‘Huwag niyo madaliin. Darating tayo diyan, unti-untiin lang natin.’ Thankful kami [na] mga players dahil nakita namin ‘yung resulta sa patience na sinasabi ni coach na unti-untiin lang natin,” he added.
The Soaring Falcons and the Red Warriors, sitting at the bottom with 2-7 and 1-8 records, respectively, clash at 9 a.m.
All games air live on the Pilipinas Live app, One Sports, and the UAAP Varsity Channel.
