After failing in their last four tries, the Adamson University Soaring Falcons finally took a five-setter.
The San Marcelino-based spikers dented Far Eastern University Tamaraws’ Final Four hopes with a classic five-set triumph, 25-23, 23-25, 15-25, 25-20, 17-16, at the Smart Araneta Colesium.
Both squads traded mirroring set wins, with the Falcons clobbering the Tamaraws in the fourth set to force a decider. The Tamaraws grabbed the advantage midway through the fifth set, 8-6, after back-to-back Adamson errors. FEU had the match in hand, leading 14-12, but that was when Jerome Sarmiento found his groove. The pint-sized winger brought Adamson to within a point and set up an FEU error to force a deuce. Sarmiento also tallied consecutive hits off transition plays to seal the match.
Sarmiento finished with 19 points, matching JP Yude’s point production. Dave Pletado added 15.
“Ginawa namin, naglaro na lang kami para sa pride namin,” said Adamson’s plucky skipper Mike Sudaria who managed seven points.
“Ganoon na nga po kasi maglalaro na lang kami ng walang pressure, para sa pride na lang po at sa mga sumusuporta sa amin.”
Adamson, with a 3-9 record, need to win their last two matches, starting with the University of Santo Tomas (5-6) on Sunday, to have a chance at a Final Four spot.
Greg Dolor tallied a season-high 27 points to lead FEU, while JP Bugaoan and Richard Solis each had 14.
FEU remain within range of a Final Four spot with a 6-6 record. They take on the University of the Philippines (5-6) on Sunday.
The Scores
AdU (3) – Sarmiento 19, Yude 19, Pletado 15, Sudaria 7, Pablico 6, Ramirez 3, Labang 2, Amburgo 0, Jimenez 0, Miranda 0, Melgar (L)
FEU (2) – Dolor 27, Bugauaon 14, Solis 14, Paler 11, Quiel 3, Bautista 2, Garcia 2, Silang 0, Suarez 0, Villegas 0, Marmeto (L)
