After going winless in big venues, the Lady Falcons finally claimed a win at the Araneta Coliseum after squeezing past the UP Lady Maroons 25-21, 25-13, 20-25, 22-25, 15-12.
The Lady Falcons were outplayed in every offensive category, but UP surrendered way too many errors, 41 to Adamson’s 25. The Lady Falcons also displayed their signature floor defense, digging 48 UP attacks.
Both teams slugged it out to begin the match with the Lady Maroons petering out midway through the set. UP’s Mariane Buitre did most of the damage for her team, netting UP three consecutive for her team and a 11-10 lead. Buitre found no support from any of her teammates from there, as UP piled on errors while AdU found their offensive groove. Adamson built a five-point lead and staved off the Lady Maroons from getting any closer.
The Lady Maroons failed to snap out of their daze in the second frame. UP’s Kathy Bersola replacement, Buitre and fellow middle blocker, Angeli Araneta carried the UP offense early in the set but UP’s spikers were still nowhere to be found. The Lady Falcons capitalized on UP’s cold streak, building an insurmountable double-digit lead off attacks from their top-three scorers in Mylene Paat, Jessica Galanza, and Amanda Villanueva.
The third frame had UP comeback written all over it. UP team captain, Nicole Tiamzon and sophomore, Vina Alinas caught fire for the Lady Maroons, as the pair combined for 12 points in the set after being dormant for much of the match. UP crept to a 24-14 lead but the Lady Falcons were able to trim the lead to 24-20 before finally relinquishing the set.
The Lady Maroons controlled much of the fourth set with the same offensive moxie from the third set, leading to a 15-11 advantage. The Lady Falcons plugged away at UP’s lead eventually nabbing a momentary 18-17 advantage. The teams played hot potato with the lead from there, with UP pulling ahead for the final time in the set, 23-22. Adamson broke down in the set’s final points with miscommunications with the reception.
The Lady Falcons woke up in the final set, delivering powerful spikes. UP kept pace behind clutch plays from middle blocker, Angeli Araneta with a variety of tips and spikes. Adamson’s Amanda Villanueva, sealed the set with several big scores including the final point of the match.
The Lady Falcons were again led by their big three, as University of Baguio standout, Mylene Paat and La Salle transferee, Amanda Villanueva, both dished out 17 points while Jessica Galanza contributed 16.
UP stalwart, Angeli Araneta, netted her career high, with 23 points, off 19 kills and four blocks. Team captain, Nicole Tiamzon, scored 12 of her 14 points in UP’s won sets while Vina Alinas, contributed 12 markers.
With the win, AdU nets their second straight with a 5-6 record, tied with UST and NU while UP drops to 4-7 tied, with FEU.
Adamson will face DLSU at the San Juan Arena on Feb.15 while the Lady Maroons will face the Tigresses on Feb. 11 at the San Juan Arena.
The Scores
AdU – Paat 17, Villanueva 17, Galanza 16, Alkuino 8, Guevara 4, Emnas 3, Cortel 1, Lebumfacil 0, Tempiatura (L) 0
UP – Araneta 23, Tiamzon 14, Alinas 12, Buitre 11, Ong 7, Lai 3, Ortiz 1, Ilustre 0, Mangulabnan 0, Estranero (L) 0
