Adamson University slammed the Final Four door shut on the University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-18, 25-16, to boost its own bid in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
The victory lifted the Lady Falcons to an 8-5 record, solid for solo third, ahead of idle FEU Lady Tamaraws and UST Golden Tigresses, who both hold 7-5 marks.
“We stuck lang talaga sa pinagtrainingan namin during the preparation namin. We always tell the players na magstay always on focus and locked in kasi anything can happen,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Shai Nitura led the charge with 26 points built on 23-of-42 attacks and three blocks, alongside six digs and six receptions. She caught fire in the second and third sets, delivering nine and 10 points, respectively.
Tied at 11 in the third set, Adamson pulled away decisively with a 14-5 closing run, with Nitura, Joy Aseo, and Frances Mordi combining to complete the straight-sets win in just 68 minutes. The dominant performance mirrored their first-round victory over UP, which also ended in a sweep with identical set scores in a different order.
The Soaring Falcons moved within a win of clinching their first Final Four appearance since Season 85 in 2023.
“We’re focused talaga sa sarili namin, ‘yung gagawin ng team on how we win, how we’re gonna respond sa challenges na ihaharap sa amin. We focus on ourselves na magrespond well at manalo,” said Nitura.
Aseo added 10 points, highlighted by four service aces, while Eloi Dote chipped in seven markers. Fhei Sagaysay also shone with 21 excellent sets and four points, matching Nitura’s three-block output.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
On the other hand, UP dropped to 5-8 and will close its campaign on Sunday against UST at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The Fighting Maroons will miss the Final Four for the eighth consecutive season.
Kianne Olango paced UP with 13 points, the only player in double figures, while Irah Jaboneta added five and Niña Ytang contributed four.
