Given the improvement of other UAAP squads, the Adamson University Lady Falcons didn’t seem like contenders entering the Women’s Volleyball tournament of Season 81.
The Lady Falcons lost key veterans in Mylene Paat, Fhen Emnas, and Jema Galanza. They hadn’t added rookie who would make an immediate impact, judging from their off-season outings.
But the Lady Falcons showed their signature grit, pushing a pre-season favorite, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, to five sets. Unfortunately, they came up short in the decider.
Adamson head coach Air Padda is aware of her team’s perceived weaknesses, and was glad that they bucked any notion that the Lady Falcons would be weak this season.
“I don’t think anyone was looking for us to do much. I’m not gonna say that we’re like a team to look out for, but we’re definitely not at the bottom where a lot of people put us,” said the American mentor, who is in her third year.
“I thought our team fought hard today. They showed puso, laban. But we’re inexperienced still, and I think that’s one of the reason why we lost, especially the fifth set. It just got the best of us.”
Padda thought Adamson showed a lot of heart. Aside from skill, she thinks her team needs to continue persevering in a uniquely challenging season.
“Everyone wants to, like… Tot give up, but the feeling of failure is already there before we’ve even actually failed. It’s Game 1. But I was so proud of them. And that to me is what Adamson volleyball is about. And there’s a lot of things we can take away from this and build on,” continued Padda, who is looking to end Adamson’s four-year Final Four drought.
“And I think that’s just gonna be our story this year – to keep building, keep improving. We’re not a deadbeat team. If anyone says we are, we are not a deadbeat team. I was proud of our defense today. I thought our blocking was solid. There’s just a few things that we need to work on, and one of those things is experience – game experience for our setter – and that’s just gonna come with time.”
