Adamson University has finally made it to the Final Four in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament after a nine-year drought.
The Lady Falcons last entered the Final Four in Season 76 (2013-14), led by players like Bang Pineda, Mayette Zapanta, Mylene Paat, Jellie Tempiatura, and May Macatuno.
With a 25-20, 27-25, 23-25, 25-15 win over the University of the Philippines, Adamson zoomed to the second spot with a 9-4 win-loss record.
Lucille Almonte, thrilled by the victory, expressed her joy, particularly after falling just short last Season 84. During the elimination round last season, Adamson tied with Ateneo de Manila University for the last ticket to the semis, with an 8-6 record that forced a playoff match.
Unfortunately, the Blue Eagles defeated Adamson in the knockout match, 25-20, 28-26, 25-22.
Almonte, a 22-year-old outside hitter from Davao City, vowed not to waste this opportunity, sharing that they are happy but are not stopping there. She said they have many games to play and will do everything they can to give their best.
“Ayun po sobrang happy din kasi ayun for nine years ngayon lang kamu ulit nakapasok ng Final Four, and ‘yun di kami puwede mag stop there kasi marami pang games na puwedeng laruin,” shared the 5-foot-8 outside hitter, who scored 13 points along with 20 digs, and 10 receptions against the Fighting Maroons.
“Sobrang happy kasi ‘yun nga sa last season namin, di namin siya nagawa, so ngayon gusto namin ibuhos lahat ng kaya namin ibigay.
“This season gusto talaga namin bumawi, and ‘yung goal talaga namin is pumasok ng Final Four, and then pag nakapasok ng Final Four, let’s go to the semis, if kaya, championship po,” she added.
Trisha Tubu, a rookie, acknowledged that it has been a long while since Adamson reached this level of competitiveness in the sport.
She also acknowledged that they have much to improve going into their final elimination game against Far Eastern University on April 30 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre before heading into the semis.
“Sobrang happy po — in the first place kasi nga po nine years po hindi po makapasok ‘yung Adamson sa Final Four,” said the 5-foot-8 Tubu who scored 11 points against UP.
“And now po, nakapasok na po kami kaya sobrang sarap po sa feeling, pero ‘yung nga po marami pa po kaming dapat trabahuhin sa pag pasok ng semifinals po.”
Tubu has been exceptional in her first year in the premier collegiate league, ranking as the fourth-best scorer with 174 points as of April 19, just behind Angel Canino, Faith Nisperos, and Eya Laure.
The 22-year-old pride of Concepcion, Tarlac, hopes for a podium finish and promised to work harder to avoid wasting her rookie year.
“Ayun nga po, madami pa po akong mga dapat pong i-adjust, tiyaka aralin po this papasok ng semis kaya ta-trabahuhin ko po talaga ng [todo]para hindi po masayang ‘yung rookie year ko na may makukuha po kaming title and hopefully po ‘yung championship po.”
