It was only their first game of the season but they already set the bar high for match of the year.
The Adamson University Soaring Falcons and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons have always put on a show. With the TV cameras off, it was UP who stole the show, surviving five grueling sets against Adamson 24-26, 25-20, 31-33, 27-25, 15-10 to start their UAAP Season 79 campaign, Sunday morning at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Both squads gave each other fits with their floor defense. The first set swung in the balance until Adamson swooped in late and took the crucial points. The Maroons countered in the second set, surging with a 4-0 run that put the set out of reach at 23-18.
Everything that could possibly happen occurred in the third frame – improbable saves, crucial blocks, and floor-crushing attacks ran aplenty from both sides. UP had 10 chances at set point in the deuce but the Falcons’ composure prevailed in the end as Mike Sudaria and Jelex Mediolla produced digs that allowed the Falcons to transition and score the set-clinching 3-0 run.
Back against the wall, the Maroons relaxed and just enjoyed the match again to recover from the 1-2 hole according to skipper Wendel Miguel.
“Naubos kami noong third set talaga. Kaya sinabi sa amin ni coach na mag-relax lang – enjoyin lang namin kasi doon kami nakakalro nang mas maganda. Ganoon lang talaga ginawa namin. Kahit noong dumikit Adamson sa amin, hindi na nag-timeout si coach. Kami na nag-adjust,” Miguel told Tiebreaker Times.
And the Maroons came out of the fourth set rejuvenated and met Adamson’s finishing push with a run of their own.
Neither team led by more than two points in the fourth set which dragged into another deuce. Only the Maroons were ready for the Falcons’ assault. Tied at 25, UP got clutch points from opposite hitter Mark Millete and Miguel to send the match to a decider.
In contrast to the tight first four sets, the fifth had the Maroons in control throughout. Service specialist Niccolo Consuelo hopped off the bench and scored a clutch ace that gave UP an insurmountable 13-9 gap that put away the Falcons for good.
“Siguro gigil din talaga sila (Adamson) bumawi sa amin kasi natalo namin sila sa championship ng InterCol at sa Uni Games kaya ganitong kaganda ‘yung laro. For us, maganda ‘yung ganitong simula. Hopefully, mapagpatuloy lang namin,” added Miguel.
Miguel tallied 18 points while Alfred Valbuena and Millete provided 19 and 17 points, respectively.
The Maroons (1-0) take on the UE Warriors (0-1) in February 11 at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
Team captain Sudaria poured in a career high 29 points while Jerome Sarmiento tallied 20 to lead the Falcons’ offense which also surrendered 38 errors.
The Falcons (0-1) also play their next game on February 11 against the NU Bulldogs (1-0).
The Scores
UP (3) – Valbuena 19, Miguel 18, Millete 17, San Pascual 12, Castillo 11, Baldelovar 3, Consuelo 2, San Pedro 2, Luna (L), Nasol (L).
AdU (2) – Sudaria 29, Sarmiento 20, Pletado 12, Yude 12, Pablico 8, Ramirez 5, Bello 0, Melgar 0, Miranda 0, Mendiolla (L).
