Needing a huge break for the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Volleyball Final Four race, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons rallied past the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-14, 22-25, 25-23, 16-25, 17-15, at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
A back-and-forth fifth set had the Tamaraws at match point, 14-13, opening the door for Adamson’s unlikely comeback. An exchange of side-out scores forced a 15-all tie. After multiple attempts, Adamson’s George Labang penetrated FEU’s strong block to give his team their first shot at match point, which Royce Bello immediately plucked with a service ace.
“Kumapit lang po talaga kami. Tiwala lang sa coaches, sa teammates, pati sa depensa namin na gagawa ng paraan,” said Adamson captain Pao Pablico who dropped 14 points.
“Ang laking panalo po talaga kasi malakas na team ‘yung FEU and nabigyan kami nang mas magandang chance makapasok sa Final Four,” the reigning PVL Collegiate Conference MVP added.
Labang finished with a game-high 24 points while Leo Miranda added 15 to pace the Falcons.
Graduating skipper Richard Solis managed 18 points while JP Bugaoan contributed 15 for FEU. After sweeping the first round, FEU has lost two of their three second-round outings.
Both teams play their next matches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Adamson (6-4) take on the University of Santo Tomas (4-6) on Saturday, while FEU (8-2) face the University of the East (2-8) on Sunday.
The Scores
AdU (3) – Labang 24, Miranda 15, Pablico 14, Alvarez 9, Bello 9, Jimenez 4, Amburgo 0, Nuguid 0, Valdez (L)
FEU (2) – Solis 18, Bugaoan 15, Garcia 13, Paler 12, Quiel 2, Silang 2, Calado 1, Salabsab 1, De Asis 0, Padon 0, Suarez 0, Barrica (L), Lorenzo (L)
