After nearly four years of futility, the University of the East Lady Warriors arrested their 58-game slide, sweeping the Adamson University Lady Falcons 25-17, 25-22, 29-27 at the FilOil Flying V Centre to end the elimination round.
Pounding a dazed Adamson side, the Lady Warriors served hard on their foes’ flimsy reception. Setter Dana Disquitado powered the deciding 6-0 run in the first set with her heavy serves. The Lady Falcons kept the following set close through Gema Galanza’s valiant effort. Galanza delivered Adamson to a 20-all deadlock but the Lady Falcons then slipped when the open hitter rotated to the back row. UE’s Roselle Baliton powered home two quick plays in a 3-0 run then capped the set with another quick hit off a scramble play.
The Lady Falcons then spotted UE a 14-6 lead before coming alive in the third set. With help from UE’a errors, Adamson varied their hits and rolled to a 21-18 lead, forcing a UE timeout. Showing the composure they lacked for four seasons, the Lady Warriors mustered an epic comeback, working off Baliton’a and Shaya Adorador’s hitting to take match point, 24-23. UE nearly let the match slip, surrendering service errors that halted their momentum in a long deuce. After Baliton blocked a Paat hit to tie the set at 27, UE rallied to win. With Laizah Bendong hopping off the bench and serving magnificently, UE got the game-winning smashes from Adorador and Judith Abil.
“Sobrang saya ko. Hopefully, ito na yung puputol sa pagiging talunan ng UE. Sobrang tagal na ng hirap sa mga bata na manalo. Buti na lang dumating na rin,” said UE head coach Francis Vicente.
Third year open hitter Shaya Adorador led the Lady Warriors with 14 points while sophomore middle hitter Roselle Baliton added 13.
UE finish the season at 1-13 after their first win since season 74 against the National University Lady Bulldogs last January 28, 2012. The set scores for that game were 20-25, 25-16, 21-25, 25-9, 15-9. Faith Bulan was the high point woman for the game, scoring 21 markers.
Galanza towed the Lady Falcons with 13 markers and was the only Lady Falcon in double-digits. In her final UAAP match, graduating Erika Alkuino managed six points. Adamson slumped to seventh place for the second season in a row with a 3-11 slate.
The Scores:
UE (3) – Adorador 14, Baliton 13, Abil 9, Doningo 8, Disquitado 4, Mendrez 3, Alcayde 0, Bendong 0, Carindig 0, Arado (L)
AdU (0) – Galanza 13, Flora 7, Alkuino 6, Paat 5, Dacoron 4, Emnas 1, Momo 1, Mohammad 0, Lebumacil (L), Tempiatura (L)
