For the first time in seven years, the University of the East Lady Warriors scored three wins in a season after whipping the Adamson University Lady Falcons, 25-14, 25-19, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
UE set the tone early, going on a 15-2 run to shut down the first set. The Lady Warriors then continued to dominate the Lady Falcons, taking a 10-4 advantage in the second set and protecting it until the end. The third set was close, with Adamson coming within one, 23-22, after Bernadette Flora kills. But an Adamson error followed by a Lai Bendong block closed the match.
The Lady Warriors were superior in all scoring skills, tallying 20 combined blocks and aces to Adamson’s seven. UE’s solid serving and defense also manifested in Adamson’s measly 28 converted spikes.
Having won just four combined matches in their first four years in the league, the graduating Lady Warriors were elated to have broken their previous ceiling.
“Siyempre sobrang saya po. ‘Yung mga dating game po namin nitong nakaraan, sayang din po. Pero ‘di pa rin naman po tapos,” said captain Roselle Baliton, who provided 14 points, six of which came from blocks.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling, lalo na kaming mga graduating. Before game kasi sinabihan kami nila coach (Rey Karl Dimaculangan) na i-enjoy ang laro kasi last three games na namin… Lalo na sa graduating, ibuhos na lahat,” added libero Kath Arado, who tallied 33 digs.
“For the past years, two wins lang kami, tapos ngayon nalamangan namin ng isa. Achievement pa din siya. Kasi nga nasa baba ang UE, kaya sobrang happy namin,” closed setter Lai Bendong, who contributed 24 excellent sets and five points.
Flora was the lone Lady Falcon in double-digits with 10 points, while Joy Dacoron added seven.
UE (3-9) return from the Holy Week break to face the De La Salle University (8-3); while Adamson (1-11) take on the Ateneo de Manila University (10-1) at the FilOil Flying V Centre on April 24.
The Scores
UE (3) – Mendrez 15, Baliton 14, Abil 11, Rodriguez 7, Bendong 5, Alcayde 3, Olarve 1, Babol 0, Clavano 0, Manabat 0, Arado (L)
AdU (0) – Flora 10, Dacoron 7, Ave 6, Genesis 4, Permentilla 3, Igao 2, Perez 2, Soyud 1, Macaslang 0, Yandoc 0, Ponce (L)
