Lady Falcons claw Fighting Maroons, gain share of third spot

MANILA, Philippines -- Adamson soared to joint-third place in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after sweeping the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

The Lady Falcons dealt the Casiey Dongallo-less Fighting Maroons their third straight defeat to finish the first round strong. 

Frances Mordi finished with 18 points for Adamson off of 17 attacks and a block. Shaina Nitura backstopped with 14 markers on 12 attacks, a block and an ace. 

After getting breezy wins in the first two sets, Adamson trailed by three points, 9-12, early thanks to Fina Ali, Bienne Bansil and Joan Monares.

But the Lady Falcons grabbed the lead, 14-13, before Nitura’s attack was blocked as the set was tied anew. 

The team then pulled away, mounting a 23-16 advantage. 

Three straight points by UP capped by a block by Ali on Mordi made it a four-point deficit, 19-23, before Mordi iced the match with back-to-back kills. 

Adamson is now holding a 4-3 win-loss record. The squad is tied with Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws and University of Santo Tomas. 

UP dropped to a 3-4 slate. 

This is the Lady Falcons’ most successful first round since Season 85 (2023), when coach Jerry Yee’s squad finished 5-2 en route to a third-place finish.

Fhei Sagaysay delivered 20 excellent sets to go with five points for Adamson. 

Ali had eight points for the Fighting Maroons in the losing effort, while Monares and Bansil delivered seven apiece.