Adamson University moved within a game of securing a semifinals berth after sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 2-0, in the 2026 UAAP VALORANT Tournament group stage on Monday at the MVP Studios in Mandaluyong City.
The Soaring Falcons improved to four points on a 1-1-0 record, needing only a 1-1 split against second-running University of the East in their final group-stage match to advance to the medal rounds.
Despite the victory, Adamson head coach Karlo Ocampo expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s performance after witnessing numerous errors from his wards throughout the series.
“It could be better. Madami pang pwedeng i-improve. Feeling ko kung yung laro talaga nila yung nilaro nila, mas hindi pa makaka-score (yung kalaban). Yun yung nafi-feel ko,” he explained.
“A win is a win, pero aalamin pa rin namin yung mga errors na di puwedeng magawa next time.”
Ateneo opened Game 1 with guns blazing, taking the first two rounds after winning the pistol round to grab an early 2-0 lead. Adamson, however, quickly seized control and conceded just one more round the rest of the way.
Marc Louie Gutierrez and Justin Andrei Mangguing combined for 23 kills and nine assists as the Soaring Falcons rattled off nine consecutive rounds en route to a dominant 13-3 victory in the opener.
The Blue Eagles again raced to a 2-0 start in Game 2 and held a 4-3 advantage before Jhiemart Muto took over.
Muto tallied nine kills over the next five rounds to fuel a 5-0 Adamson run and give the Soaring Falcons an 8-4 lead.
Ateneo refused to go quietly, responding with four straight rounds capped by a flawless Round 16 to level the game at 8-all. Adamson, however, regained control and swept the final five rounds to complete the 13-8 victory and the 2-0 series sweep.
Muto earned series MVP honors after finishing with 22 kills and two assists in the clincher.
The rest of Monday’s scheduled group-stage matches were postponed after league activities were suspended due to inclement weather, cutting short the second day of VALORANT action.
The postponed matches will be rescheduled for a later date, with the revised schedule to be announced by the league.
