Needing to maintain the fourth spot, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons overwhelmed the hapless University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 22-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-18, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Adamson improved their record to 4-3, tied with Ateneo at third place. The Far Eastern University Tamaraws (7-0) and National University (6-1) occupy the first two spots.
After an alarming three-game skid, the Falcons wanted to get back and polish their fundamentals.
“Marami po kaming nagiging pagkakamali sa maliliit na bagay na kaya naman naming ayusin,” said graduating Falcons captain Pao Pablico.
“May mga pagkukulang kami sa receive and depensa, which is kailangan doon kami malakas,” the reigning PVL Most Valuable Player added.
Against the Fighting Maroons, the Falcons were impenetrable, tallying 13 block kills while forging a 53-43 spikes advantage.
Leo Miranda led Adamson’s balanced offense with 18 points, while Pablico and middle blocker Mark Alvarez provided 17 points, each.
Mark Millete continued to power UP’s offense, managing a game-high 20 points. Open hitter Nico Consuelo added 15 markers. The Maroons ended the first round winless in seven outings.
The Scores
AdU (3) – Miranda 18, Alvarez 17, Pablico 17, Bello 9, Labang 8, Amburgo 2, Jimemez 1, Nuguid 1, Valdez (L)
UP (1) – Millete 20, Consuelo 15, San Pascual 9, San Pedro 5, Baldelovar 4, Ijiran 4, Enteria 0, Ilao 0, Nasol (L)
