Adamson rediscovered its rhythm just in time, shaking off a mid-match wobble to turn back a spirited University of the East side, 25-15, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
The Lady Falcons appeared headed for a swift afternoon after seizing the opening two sets with authority, dictating the tempo through crisp floor defense and steady attacking. But UE refused to fold, capitalizing on Adamson’s brief lapse in the third set to extend the match and test the Falcons’ composure.
That moment of resistance proved short-lived. Resetting in the fourth, Adamson reasserted control early, breaking open the set with a flurry of points that snuffed out any hopes of a Lady Warriors comeback. The win pushed the Lady Falcons to a 2–1 record and provided a timely rebound after their straight-sets setback against defending champion National University earlier in the week.
Head coach JP Yude underscored the value of the result, noting that the opening round offers little room for hesitation. With a demanding stretch of matches ahead, he stressed the need for his squad to respond quickly to adversity and secure confidence-building victories whenever possible.
A key spark came from Fhaye Sagaysay, whose service runs proved decisive. She unloaded five aces and finished with 10 points, while also orchestrating the offense with 15 excellent sets. Sagaysay said finding momentum from the service line helped her regain confidence and lift the entire team during the crucial stages of the match.
Adamson’s scoring load was balanced, with Frances Mordi and Shaina Nitura delivering 19 points apiece to anchor the attack. Their consistency allowed the Lady Falcons to maintain pressure even when UE briefly seized the initiative.
The loss kept UE winless after three outings, though the Lady Warriors showed flashes of promise. Bea Zamudio led their effort with 14 points, supported by Nessa Bangayan and KC Cepada, who chipped in 11 each.
Adamson will look to build on the result when it faces Far Eastern University on March 1 at the Araneta Coliseum, aiming to sustain momentum as the UAAP season begins to take shape.