Adamson Lady Falcons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Adamson opened its new era with a rousing three-set win over National University, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22, in the UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball tournament Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
New head coach Onyok Getigan guided the Lady Falcons to their first win of the tournament that broke a 0-3 start under the beleaguered Air Padda, who was relieved of her duties as head coach two days ago.
Adamson held a slim 20-19 lead in the fourth and looked desperate to hold off the Lady Warriors but Eli Soyud and Chiara Permentilla rose to the occasion for the Lady Falcons.
Soyud gave the Soaring Falcons a 21-19 lead and Permentilla followed it up a little later to give Adamson a more comfortable 23-19 buffer.
Mary Joy Dacoron then finished things off with a booming running spike for Adamson’s first win of the season.
Getigan, before getting the head coaching job, was technically an assistant coach with the Lady Falcons for the season but he was more focused with Kings Montessori School’s high school team and that he only met Adamson’s players on Saturday.
“I’ve only met them yesterday but since I was an assistant coach I already knew the system, so I just guided them and I wanted to bring their confidence back,” said Gatigan.
“I’m technically part of the coaching staff before so I didn’t change anything in the system, I know their strengths and weaknesses so the only thing I did was guide them.”
Bernadette Flora eventually finished with 15 points for the Lady Falcons while Soyud and Dacoron added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Princess Robles led the Lady Bulldogs with 12 points.
Adamson, NU, and University of the East are all tied at the eighth spot with 1-3 records.