Adamson University has steadily built its high school volleyball program over the years, particularly on the girls’ side, culminating in a well-deserved UAAP championship in Season 86.
With standout Falcons like Shaina Nitura, Felicity Sagaysay, and MG del Moral, the San Marcelino-based school dominated the league, finishing with an impressive 16-0 record on their way to the championship.
Last Wednesday, however, marked a new chapter for the Baby Falcons as they began their title defense.
With the three mentioned stars moving up to the collegiate ranks, it was now up to Abby Segui and the rest of the Baby Falcons to continue their winning ways.
Their first challenge came against perennial contender University of Santo Tomas.
Adamson took control early, winning the first two sets 26-24 and 25-19, thanks to new setter Sofia Arasan, the younger sister of former UST standout Bien Arasan.
Sofia orchestrated the offense well, finding her points of attack despite some errors.
However, the Junior Golden Tigresses capitalized on Adamson’s miscues and turned the match around, completing a reverse sweep with scores of 25-19, 25-19, and 15-13. The final two points came from service aces by Kim Rubin, taking advantage of the Baby Falcons’ reception problems.
Captain Abby Segui reflected on the loss, noting the areas the Baby Falcons need to improve.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“May mga lapses po talaga na di po namin na-adjustan agad kaya mixed emotions po yung nararamdaman po ngayon. Na-fell short po kami sa pagkapanalo kasi nandun po yung eagerness namin na manalo,” the 19-year-old opposite spiker from Marikina explained.
Despite the setback, Segui emphasized the importance of keeping their focus on the bigger picture.
“Pero ayun nga, sinabi po namin before the game na win or lose, we’ll still glorify the Lord po. Ayun lang po tumatatak sa isip namin kaya ngayon imbis na malungkot po kami, imbis na umiyak kami, mas magiging determined pa kami sa susunod na games po,” she added.
As one of the key players from their Season 86 championship run, Segui is now stepping into a larger leadership role following the departure of Shaina Nitura.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
However, Segui remains calm under the pressure, taking the challenge day by day.
“There’s a lot of pressure po talaga para sakin pero ‘yun, inovercome ko naman po ‘yun araw-araw. Nandiyan naman sina coach para mag-guide po sakin lagi, mag-instruct sakin lagi. Nandiyan din po sila Shai, ‘yung mga umakyat ng college, lagi pa rin po nila akong ginagabayan sa pag-lead ng team namin ngayon,” she said.
With the jitters of the first game behind them and a tough loss absorbed, Segui and the rest of the Baby Falcons now have a clear benchmark for what it will take to stay on top.
“Mas naging determined po kami ngayong (after ng) pagkatalo namin. Marami po kaming natutunan, marami pa rin po kaming ino-overcome na challenges ngayon sa team namin so mas pag-iigihin pa po namin sa susunod naming games,” she shared.
“Siyempre, sinasabihan ko rin naman po sila na hindi pa po tapos yung UAAP.”
Segui remains optimistic about the team’s future, encouraging her teammates to stay focused and keep working hard.
“First game pa lang po and puwede pa po kaming bumawi sa ibang games. ‘Yung way ko po ng pag-lead sa kanila, ine-encourage ko lang po sila palagi kung ano yung ginagawa nila, siyempre matatanda na rin naman po sila, aware na rin naman po sila sa mga ginagawa nila,” she concluded.
