By: Ohmer Bautista
Paolo Pablico and the Adamson University Soaring Falcons evaded a meltdown, thumping the Arellano University Chiefs in four sets, 25-22, 26-24, 22-25, 26-24, in the Premier Volleyball League Men’s Collegiate Conference, Saturday morning at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Falcon skipper Pablico hammered a game-high 30 points, three of which came in the 7-3 closing run in the decisive fourth set, and 16 excellent receptions to no surprise of his coach.
“Si Pablico, last playing year na niya kaya expected ko na ‘yan,” Adamson head coach Domingo Custodio said.
Moreover, he also lauded his young libero’s stellar floor defense.
‘Yung libero ko first year lang ‘yan. Akala ko kakabahan ba kasi bago, pero maganda performance ng libero ko,” the bench tactician stated about Leo Miranda’s 11 excellent reception.
Still, despite coming out on top, Custodio knows that there are still a lot to work on as their season progresses.
“Medyo magulo pa ngayon. Depensa, sa receive at sa blocking,” he shared.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, had three guys in double figures with Christian Dela Paz leading the way with 24 markers. Christian Segovia and Demmy Lapuz added 12 points respectively for Arellano.
Adamson (1-0) will look to make it two in a row against San Beda on Wednesday, July 25, at the same venue. The Chiefs (0-1), meanwhile, will seek to bounce back against FEU also on the same day.
The Scores:
AdU (3) – Pablico 30, Labang 13, Bello 9, Miranda 8, Alvarez 6, Amburgo 3, Valdez 0, Alicando 0, Florendo (L), Nuguid (L).
AU (1) – Dela Paz 24, Segovia 12, Lapuz 12, Domingo 4, Tan 4, Liberato 3, Rinon 2, Villados 1, Arellano 1, Cabillan 1, Meneses 0, Esguerra (L), Dablo (L).
