Adamson University needed to shake off University of the Philippines in the tight first set before holding sway in the next two, 27-25, 25-15, 25-22, to register its first win in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Saturday.
The Soaring Falcons raised their record to 1-1 while the Fighting Maroons dropped to 0-2.
When Adamson went 2-12 last season, both of its wins came at the expense of UP.
“Masyadong naexcite lang yung mga players (nung first set) kaya sabi ko compose muna kung gusto nating manalo,” said second year Soaring Falcons head coach George Pascua.
Adamson was leading by six midway through the third, 19-13, when Brian Chavez, Clarence Santiago, and Jaivee Malabanan connived for UP while also getting help from their foes to inch within one, 18-19.
However, Lourenz Domingo and Leo Coguimbal provided the answers for the Soaring Falcons to finish the match in 74 minutes.
“Kaya po kami nahabol nung third set kasi parang nag lay low po kami pero hindi naman ganon ang mindset namin. Yung team captain namin niremind kami na kailangan namin tapusin agad, hindi na kailangan bigyan ng chance yung kalaban,” said Adamson middle blocker Jude Aguilar, who had a game-high 14 points on 10-of-17 attacks, three blocks, and a service ace.
Coguimbal, also a middle blocker, added 11 points on eight spikes and three kill blocks for the Soaring Falcons.
Marc Paulino and Joel Menor also chimed in nine points apiece with the latter also producing eight excellent receptions and four digs.
On the other hand, Louis Gamban paced the Fighting Maroons with 10 points, 10 receptions, and seven digs.
Angelo Lagando contributed nine points, while Daniel Nicolas and Niño Bersano had eight and seven points, respectively.
Adamson will look to build on this momentum when it returns on Wednesday, 10 a.m., against National University at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. UP will follow at 12 p.m. against Ateneo de Manila University.
