Adamson University displayed grace under pressure in a tightly contested match to sweep University of the East, 25-17, 29-27, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.
The Soaring Falcons created a logjam at fourth to sixth spots with Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles and University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers, all at an even 4-4 record.
“This second round talagang unpredictable lahat kasi may adjustments na yan, basta ang goal lang namin everytime na maglalaro is must win kami kahit ilang set yan,” said Adamson head coach George Pascua.
The Soaring Falcons clawed back from 13-18 down in the second to extend the third set before Marc Paulino and Dan Gutierrez drilled the 28th and 29th points for the 2-0 set lead.
Then in the fourth, Adamson needed once again to showcase its nerves of steel down the stretch as Francis Casas and Gutierrez along with a JP Mangahis error finished the match in one hour and 37 minutes.
“Niremind lang po sa amin ni Coach George na magfocus kami nung second set at magstick po doon sa sistema ng team,” said Casas, who netted 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
Gutierrez, despite only playing in less than two sets, still went for 11 points, including the match-winning kill while Jude Aguilar had nine points for Adamson, which will face UST on April 3 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 12 p.m.
The Red Warriors, who were coming off their first win of the season, fell to 1-7 to start the second round. They will battle National University on April 3 as well at 10 a.m.
Joshua Pozas and Shan Camaymayan paced UE with 11 points each.
