Adamson University (AdU) pulled one off over a hungry Far Eastern University (FEU) to open their season with a win, 3–2.
Josh Maquelabit started the day with a win for the Tamaraws over fellow veteran, Adamson’s EJ Viloria, in the first singles. FEU rose to an 11–6 lead in the interval and built a lead of as much as 6. Viloria tried to answer, but Maquelabit took the first game, 21–14. The Soaring Falcon senior was the one who took the second game into the interval. Maquelabit then made several scoring runs, while limiting Viloria’s output en route to taking the match, 21–18.
In the second singles, Rafael Dionisio made it 2–0 for FEU after winning over AdU’s rookie, Kevin Fabros, in two straight games. The Falcon newbie had the lead at the start, before Dionisio wrestled for control of the match. Fabros then regained the lead at 18–15. After Adamson took the first game point, the third-year veteran finished off the game 22–20. Dionisio asserted his might in the following frame, and led 15–9. Fabros did his best to keep himself in the game, but FEU closed the game and the match, 21–17.
Facing a must-win situation, Adamson’s Viloria partnered with Elben Concina in overpowering FEU’s Joshua Bernardo and Thirdy Bacalso in straight games. Viloria and Concina mounted an 11–4 lead on the break. The Adamson tandem pulled through the challenge after the interval and snatched the first game, 21–10. It was the same story in the following frame, as Adamson mounted an early lead. Viloria and Concina rolled on and inched to match point, 20–7. Bernardo and Bacalso tried to stop the inevitable, but Adamson took one, 21–12.
Adamson’s Joshua Antonio and Jelo Iquiña secured the second doubles match to level the tie after winning over Maquelabit and Dionisio. It was a tight first game, as both pairs exchanged scoring runs before Adamson got the first game point. After several deuces, Antonio and Iquiña finally clinched the game, 26–24. The tandem had an easier time to close out the second set. The Falcons strung five straight points to close the match after a tight three-point lead, 21–13.
In the deciding match, Gerloth Delizo upended a tired FEU’s Bacalso in the final singles in three sets over to take the first win for his team. The Adamson sophomore took the early lead after a tight start, 13–9. From there, Delizo never relinquished the advantage, despite the resistance from Bacalso, 21–17. The Falcon took the lead in the following game at 17–13, and moved to just four points away from taking victory for Adamson. Bacalso had other plans, as he pulled the rug from under Delizo, 21–17, to force a deciding game. The final game was as close as it could get, but ultimately, it was Adamson who emerged victorious after 45 minutes, 21–19.
