Adamson University pulled off a massive comeback against the University of Santo Tomas to steal Game 1, 22-25, 25-19, 16-25, 27-25, 15-12, and move on the verge of clinching the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge crown on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Facing a 1-2 set deficit, the Lady Falcons first survived a late fightback from the Golden Tigresses in the extended fourth set before taking control in the decider, putting themselves one victory away from back-to-back V-League crowns.
Adamson completed the comeback without reigning UAAP MVP Shaina Nitura, who sat out the match after coming off a campaign with Alas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
“We thank the Lord for this win, for the strength ng mga bata na binigay ni Lord. For me, I’m very happy with how they performed this game kasi kahapon medyo nag-aaway-away pa kami sa ensayo, eh,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude.
“Pero because of the—’yun nga, ’yung training namin—ni-ready kami ni Lord for that situation kahapon sa training kasi itong fifth set pala ’yung magiging game namin. So, very happy and very glad,” he added.
(C) V-League Images
Holding a slim 10-9 advantage late in the fifth set, Adamson got a crucial break when Marga Altea committed an attack error, followed by a smart push from Fhei Sagaysay that stretched the Lady Falcons’ lead to 12-9 and put them in control of the decider.
The fifth set turned into a back-and-forth affair, but UST could not come up with the crucial stops it needed, as Frances Mordi drilled a cross-court attack to put Adamson at match point, 14-12.
Angge Poyos kept the Golden Tigresses alive with an off-the-block hit, but Sagaysay stayed composed under pressure, finding Janna Dizon with a perfectly timed pass for the game-winning quick attack that sealed the Lady Falcons’ dramatic comeback victory.
It was a fitting ending for a gritty Adamson squad that refused to fold when it stood a point away from surrendering Game 1 at 23-24 in the fourth set, with Lhouriz Tuddao, Lana Barrera, Eloi Dote, and Mordi combining to force the deciding fifth frame.
Mordi led the way for the Lady Falcons with 24 points on 21 attacks, two blocks, and one ace, while also contributing 11 excellent receptions. Joy Aseo added 19 points, all from attacks.
Sagaysay glued things together with 28 excellent sets and four points, while Juris Manuel collected 12 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
Tuddao added 12 points and 11 excellent digs, while Dote chipped in eight points, three of which came from blocks.
(C) V-League Images
For the Golden Tigresses, Regina Jurado paced the team with 25 points on 19 attacks, three blocks, and three aces, while also recording 19 excellent digs. Poyos scored 17 points and added 11 excellent receptions.
Altea chipped in 13 points, while Blessing Unekwe also finished in double figures with 10.
Adamson will look to finish the series and secure the championship, while UST will aim to force a do-or-die Game 3 on Friday at 2 p.m. at the same venue.
