After weeks of carrying the weight of Adamson University’s struggles on his shoulders, Jude Aguilar finally got the help he needed.
And with his teammates stepping up, the Soaring Falcons soared once more, snapping their four-game losing streak in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Throughout Adamson’s slump to close the first round, Aguilar had been a one-man show, delivering back-to-back career performances.
He erupted for 26 points in a five-set heartbreaker against defending champion National University before following it up with a 27-point outing in a four-set loss to the University of the Philippines.
Despite his stellar efforts, victories remained elusive for Adamson. Aguilar knew something had to change.
“Nung past two games namin, sobrang sakit no’n para sa amin sa team namin since ginagawa namin lahat. Tulad nung sa NU, nagawa namin lahat pero kinapos kami gawa nung wala masyadong teamwork yung team namin,” the 22-year-old Adamson High School product told Tiebreaker Times.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
This time, Aguilar found the support he desperately needed. Middle blocker Leo Coguimbal and setter Lourenz Domingo stepped up, powering Adamson to a gritty 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 15-12 victory over winless University of the East on Saturday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Aguilar contributed 15 points, while Coguimbal led the charge with 17 markers, including 12 attacks and five blocks. Domingo orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out a game-high 29 excellent sets while chipping in three points.
Their collective effort propelled Adamson to a 2-6 record, placing them seventh in the eight-team standings — just a game behind the University of the Philippines (2-5).
“Sobrang laking tulong pag lahat kami gumagawa sa court kasi hindi ko rin talaga kinakaya yung pagod pag mag-isa lang. Good thing na nandito si Leo tsaka si Lourenz para matulungan na ako,” said Aguilar, a proud native of Carigara, Leyte.
More than just ending their skid, Aguilar hopes that Coguimbal and Domingo’s breakout performances will serve as a turning point, giving them the confidence to mount a late push for the Final Four.
That urgency is crucial, especially with a tough test ahead against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, who boast MVP frontrunner Kennedy Batas, team captain Lance de Castro, Jian Salarzon, and Amil Pacinio.
“Yes, sobrang kumpyansa ako na naopen na nila yung confidence nila sa sarili nila. Mas kumpyansa ako ngayon na matutulungan na nila ako para dire-diretso na mga panalo namin hopefully.“
