Coming off an thrilling win over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, the Adamson University Lady Falcons carried the momentum with a sweep of the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 25-9, 27-25, 25-20, Wednesday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
Coming from a difficult Season 79 campaign, head coach Airess Padda was delighted to see clear signs of her team stepping out of the cellar.
“It’s a huge accomplishment. Getting our second win in UAAP Season 80 feels good. It shows there’s been improvement in our program and our team is not a pushover team like last year. We can actually compete,” the second year coach expressed.
The Lady Falcons took advantage of the Lady Maroons’ appalling reception — glaring as ever in the first set where Adamson clinched eight service aces. Ridden with errors all set long, UP did not even reach double digits, with Adamson sealing the opening set, 25-9.
“The first set hurt UP because we’re serving really tough consistently,” Padda pointed out. “I’m tough on them [Adamson] in training, service, passing and defense wins championship.”
Come the second set, Jema Galanza, Mylene Paat, and Joy Dacoron displayed dominance and led Adamson by 18-13. However, UP’s pillars Isa Molde and Tots Carlos took charge to claw back and push a 7-2 run. Both squads figured in a seesaw battle after, but the Lady Falcons still managed to take the second set as Molde’s attack went way out, 27-25.
Adamson pulled away in the third set once again, as Paat clinched service ace by service ace, 19-15. With the Maroons continually stricken by the error bug, they ultimately bowed to the Falcons, 25-20.
Mylene Paat towed the Lady Falcons with 15 points, eight coming from service aces. Team captain Jema Galanza powered 14 points, 13 coming from attacks.
With 12 points, UP skipper Tots Carlos was the only Lady Maroon who made double digits.
Adamson, now at 2-1, will try to extend their two game winning streak against the University of Santo Tomas on February 18. UP, on the other hand, will have fewer days to reflect on this loss, as they face the Far Eastern University on Sunday, February 17.
The Scores:
ADU (3) – Paat 15, Galanza 14, Dacoron 11, Permentilla 10, Emnas 8, Perez 2, Flora 1, Uy 0, Ponce (L)
UP (0) – Carlos 12, Molde 7, Ramos 5, Buitre 4, Cailing 3, Dorog 2, Estranero 0, Lim 0, Layug 0, Basarte 0, Thai (L)
