Lady Warriors snap skid
With University of the East sending in a big crowd to cheer them on, the Lady Warriors finally collected their first win of the season.
Shaya Adorador scored a career-high 23 points to power UE to its first win at the expense of lowly Adamson, 25-22, 20-25, 25-17, 25-18, in the UAAP women’s volleyball at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
“The only thing I told them was to go out there and fight, at least now they realized that they can win,” said Vicente. “Maybe from here we can start winning again.”
Vicente thanked the UE community for sending a contingent to root for them.
“That boosted the team, but I think we still lacked the finishing kick,” admitted the new head coach of the national women’s team.
Later, National University survived the gritty University of the Philippines, 25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 18-25, 25-12, and moved out of a three-game rut.
The Lady Maroons absorbed their third straight defeat and tied their tormentor and idle UST and FEU at 4-3.
In the men’s division, National University downed University of the Philippines, 26-24, 25-13, 23-25, 25-20, for its sixth win in seven outings.
The Maroons fell to 3-4.
Adamson routed UE, 27-25, 25-18, 25-16, to register its second triumph against five defeats, while pushing the Warriors to their seventh straight defeat.
Vicente said he didn’t feel any pressure because the Lady Warriors are in the middle of a rebuilding.
“We are slowly gathering strength. We have a young untested team,” he added.
In taking its first victory in seven games, UE also tightened the noose on Adamson which has lost all seven games in the first round for a total of 14 dating back to the second round last season.
Feisty open spiker Adorador unleashed an all-around game and made a career-best 23 points, while libero Kath Arado also shone on defense.
Vicente said he gave Adorador a dressing down before the game which he felt compelled her to give an inspired performance.
“I saw her tears fell. That’s what it takes to step up as the team leader,” added Vicente.
