The Adamson University Soaring Falcons figured in a straight-set match, grabbing the win over the struggling University of the East Red Warriors, 27-25, 25-18, 25-16, to end the UAAP Season 79 first round at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
After a signature rough-and-tumble, first set win, the Falcons settled into a groove in the following two sets. Adamson slowly built big leads thanks to solid floor defense and savvy transitions. The Falcons went up 18-11 in the second frame, then 20-15 in the third set to close out the match.
“Importante pa rin sa amin ‘yung panalo para lang umangat ‘yung morale namin. Mababa na kasi talaga kumakailan,” said Adamson skipper Michael Sudario. “Hanggang ‘di pa naman tapos ‘yung season, may pag-asa pa.”
Sudaria tallied 10 points while his fellow open hitter Jerome Sarmiento added a game-high 14 markers.
With a 2-5 record, the Falcons sit at sixth place tied with the De La Salle University and two games behind fourth-placed University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas (3-4).
Former four-time UAAP Juniors champion Edward Camposano led UE with 11 points, while Sam Lelic added eight.
UE fall to 0-7, dropping their 35th straight match dating back to Season 77.
The Scores
AdU (3) – Sarmiento 14, Sudaria 10, Pletado 9, Ramirez 8, Yude 8, Pablico 5, Bello 1, Miranda 0, Melgar (L)
UE (0) – Camposano 11, Lelic 8, Ortega 5, Inoferio 4, Alba 3, Aljas 3, Adriano 2, Aljas 2, Magdaong 1, Al Bandar 0, Ernacio (L)
