Lady Falcons boost confidence with comeback PVL win over UP

MANILA, Philippines — It’s a preseason win for the Adamson Lady Falcons, a five-setter come-from-behind triumph over UP (17-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, 15-9) in the Premier Volleyball League’s Collegiate Conference last Monday. And that has to feel very good.

 

This is a team in search of wins and the confidence to propel them out of the dregs of UAAP volleyball mediocrity. The Lady Falcons could have folded as UP took a 2-1 set lead and made a game of it in the fourth before falling. 

 

During the last UAAP season, they lost two players, who opted not to play after the off-court concerns that plagued them the previous 12 months. They garnered one win — a season-ending win over UE in their last match of the year.

 

Christine Soyud, who transferred from La Salle over a year ago, led the way with 27 huge points. Her presence helped give Airess Padda a few more weapons in Adamson’s battle for respectability. Jema Galanza and Joy Dacoron also scored in double figures (18 and 13 respectively).

 

How huge was Soyud’s presence? She was not only devastating on offense but also solid on defense. She registered four block points to backstop Dacoron. They’ll need May Roque to return to form for more offense and defense in the middle. She wasn’t fielded at all in yesterday’s match.

 

Despite the win, Padda has to be concerned about their consistency, killer instinct and floor defense. The Adamson teams prior to the last five years were known for their stinginess on defense at the net and on the floor. They didn’t win any UAAP titles but were always in the thick of it. And Coach Air has consistently harped about playing with hunger and desire. 

 

Gone unnoticed in the win were the contributions of Fen Emnas, who returned to the lineup after sitting out last season and chalking up some big game experience while setting for the Bureau of Customs Transformers in the final V-League season. Emnas registered 43 excellent sets to the 29 of her UP counterpart Rose Mary Cailing (who we also like).

 

On that note about setters, Chumcee Caole of Adamson wasn’t in the lineup. And UP played their much-hyped Fil-Am setter Cynthia Escutin, who saw sporadic action (as this is part of her learning curve). Last year’s setter for UP, Arielle Estranero, returned to her libero spot of two seasons ago while Justin Dorog switched back to her utility spot. Not in the Collegiate Conference lineup is Mae Basarte, who lost her setting job to Estranero last year.

 

Speaking of UP, we learned that head coach Jerry Yee resigned last Thursday, leaving assistant Katrina De Lara in charge. Word is there has been friction between team backers, who cried out for change after the Lady Maroons’ slide in the last UAAP season. Where that leaves this team, which is also adjusting from the graduation of three of its stalwarts to the shifting of players around, is anyone’s guess at this point. 

 

Whatever it is at this stage, there’s time to adjust. They have to be concerned with the loss preseason or not. It was atypical of their meltdowns of the past two years. The talent is there. The Lady Maroons’ young core of Isa Molde, Diana Carlos, Maristela Layug, Dorog, Estranero, and Cailing will get better.

 

Right now it’s all mental. Some big wins here and there should help them. 

 

If anything, history has taught us that this young team that has taken its licks should get better soon. How soon is now is once more anyone’s guess.