Adamson wasted no time and handed University of the Philippines its second straight loss, 25-9, 27-25, 25-20, victory in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Lady Falcons soared to their second straight win for a 2-1 card, already eclipsing their one-win total from Season 79, while the Lady Maroons slipped to their second straight loss and a 1-2 record.
With the Lady Falcons leading two sets to none and 23-18 in the third, Diana Carlos managed to score two straight points to cut the margin to three, 23-20, and give UP a semblance of fight.
Carlos’ back-to-back hits prompted Adamson head coach Air Padda to call time, and Jema Galanza calmed her mentor down with a pinpoint kill that went through UP’s defense and put the Lady Falcons at the 24-20 match point.
UP’s Marian Buitre then gave Adamson the win when she failed to get the ball over from her side of the floor.
“It feels good, because last year was really tough for us and only winning one game it was hard so getting our second win, we’ve already our record and it feels good,” said Padda. “It shows that there’s been growth in the program and our team is not a pushover from last year.”
Although the Lady Maroons managed to go hit-for-hit with the Lady Falcons in the second and third sets, the same can’t be said for the opening set when Adamson looked flawless.
Adamson tallied eight service aces in the first set alone, and that mark was two more than UP scored in spikes.
“That first set really hurt UP and our passing was really good,” said Padda as her team finished with 17 aces. “I’m surprised we got 17 aces, our team’s growing. And if we had to define us, I won’t define us as a strong serving team, we’re a strong defensive team.”
Adamson outgunned UP, 40-26, in terms of spikes and was ahead 53-39 in excellent digs.
Mylene Paat led Adamson with 15 points, eight coming off aces, while Galanza added 14.
Mary Joy Dacoron and Chiara Permentilla also finished in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Carlos led UP with 12 points while Isa Molde added seven.