The Adamson University Soaring Falcons formally entered the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball tournament Final Four after squashing the University of the East Red Warriors, 27-25, 25-17, 25-19, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Adamson have made the Final Four since coming one win away from the Season 78 Finals. The Falcons improved their record to 8-4, tied with Ateneo De Manila University at third. National University (10-1) and Far Eastern University (8-2) occupy the top two seeds.
Graduating skipper Pao Pablico was elated that his team clinched their preseason goal convincingly. Last season, the Falcons had two chances to make the Final Four towards the tail-end of the elimination round, but fell both times to University of Santo Tomas.
“Siguro, lalo na para sa akin na last year na sa UAAP, sobrang laking bagay na nakapasok kami sa Final Four sa ganitong paraan, na nakuha na namin kahit may natitira pang games,” said Pablico, who tallied 12 points against UE.
“Ngayon, dapat hindi kami makuntento kasi alam namin na may kaya pa kaming ipakita. Marami pa kaming kayang ipanalo,” he added.
George Labang led Adamson with 17 points off 13 attacks, two blocks, and two aces. Leo Miranda added nine markers.
Middle blockers Noel Alba and Lloyd Josafat each provided 11 and 10 points, respectively, to steer the Red Warriors.
Both teams play their next matches on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Adamson take on the De La Salle University (3-8), while UE (2-10) face the Ateneo de Manila University.
The Scores
AdU (3) – Labang 17, Pablico 12, Miranda 9, Alicando 7, Alvarez 7, Jimenez 4, Nuguid 0, Valdez (L)
UE (0) – Alba 11, Josafat 10, Inoferio 5, Ortega 5, Adriano 4, Bonoan 3, Abalon 2, Imperial 0, Reyes 0, Medina (L), Solis (L)
