Adamson Lady Falcons in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. — MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Convinced there’s nothing left to play for, May Nuique is now looking for a respectable finish for the Adamson Lady Falcons.
“We don’t stand a chance in advancing to the Final Four anymore,’’ said Nuique after the Lady Falcons survived University of the Philippines, 25-17, 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-13, on Saturday night at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
“We’ll just give our best in these remaining games for a decent exit,’’ said Nuique, the middle blocker who delivered 15 points built on 11 attacks plus an ace.
That road to the exit won’t be easy though. The Lady Falcons will battle defending champion La Salle and title contender National University before they take on Ateneo to wrap up their season.
Karen Verdeflor cried tears of joy after Jen Villegas blocked UP’s final counterattack at match point that preserved her gallant defensive stance of 25 excellent digs and 15 receptions.
“We hadn’t won for a long time and this victory just made me emotional,’’ said Verdeflor after the Lady Falcons snapped a six-game skid that pushed them out of the semifinal race.
Rookie Barbie Jamili fired 16 points and backstopped Verdeflor with 14 receptions and 11 digs as they finally snatched a win, Adamson’s third in 11 games.
“I want to see them perform their best in these games. It’s no joke competing with these teams. Our goal is to strengthen our character and composure before the season ends,’’ said Adamson coach JP Yude.
Maze of errors
The Lady Maroons, also out of the running for a Final Four spot, were unable to pull off a near triumph despite leading after three sets and absorbed their 11th defeat in 12 games.
Niña Ytang delivered 17 points and registered seven of the UP’s 16 blocks while Joan Monares posted a career-high 16 points highlighted by 14 attacks and had 13 receptions.
The Lady Falcons clawed back in the fourth after climbing from six points down midway in the set with big help courtesy of UP’s maze of errors.
Nuique blocked Stephanie Bustrillo on two occasions and with Ayesha Juegos finding an empty corner on her attack, Adamson finally took a 24-23 lead.
Jamili then walloped it between two defenders at set point, stretching the match to the limit.
Any team could have sealed the fifth set, but the Lady Falcons were lucky enough to snatch the win.
After Ytang tied the match one last time at 13 with a block, UP team captain Abi Goc saw her serve get entangled at the net, allowing Adamson to move to the threshold.
Irah Jaboneta’s last-ditch effort to keep the Lady Maroons alive ended in frustration after Villegas blocked her attack, completing the stunning turnaround by the Falcons.
“We’ve got nothing to lose moving forward. All we have to do now is push ourselves,’’ said Nuique.