Lady Falcons seal Final Four slot

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson clinched a Final Four ticket for the first time in three seasons with a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 sweep of skidding contender Far Eastern U in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Alas Pilipinas stalwart Shaina Nitura spearheaded the charge with 20 points on 12 hits, two blocks and four aces as the Lady Falcons wrapped up their elims campaign at 9-5.

Adamson’s win left FEU (7-6) and Santo Tomas (7-5) in a toss-up for the last Final Four ticket as unbeaten La Salle (13-0) after reigning champion National U (9-3) secured the first two slots with twice-to-beat incentives.

But La Salle could upgrade it to an outright finals berth and force a stepladder Final Four format with a 14th win against NU today in a rematch of last year’s finals, looking for its first 14-0 sweep since 2014.

The Lady Falcons are in the playoffs for the first time since 2023.

Backstopping Nitura, who added six digs and 10 receptions, were Frances Mordi and Lhouiz Tuddao with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

It was a sweet revenge for Adamson after a 22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20 defeat to FEU in the first round behind a strong 25-20 start.

As a young unit led by former high school sensation and last year’s Rookie of the Year Nitura, Adamson showed its composure in the next two sets to survive FEU’s fiery resistance.

Gerzel Petallo, with 11 points, was the lone bright spot for the Lady Tamaraws, who absorbed their third loss in the last four games to suddenly lag behind the race despite being billed as the biggest challenger to top bets La Salle and NU.

Earlier, Dona de Leon fired 14 points as Ateneo (2-11) handed the University of the East (0-14) another winless season with a 25-23, 25-19, 29-27 win ahead of its final match against FEU.

Khy Cepada had 18 points in a foiled effort anew as the Lady Warriors became the first UAAP women’s volleyball team to absorb back-to-back winless seasons.