MANILA – Adamson University banked on Frances Mordi and Shaina Nitura to beat the University of the Philippines, 25-20, 25-17, 26-24, and force a rubber match in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup quarterfinals Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.
Mordi and Nitura combined for 15 points in the third set while main setter Fhei Sagaysay orchestrated the Lady Falcons’ assault in the one-hour, 30-minute match.
Mordi topscored with 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks and an ace while Nitura chipped in nine points.
“Siyempre, twice-to-beat ‘yung UP. Mahirap talaga sa part namin na kailangan namin silang talunin ng dalawang beses. Ang kailangan lang naming gawin ay maging composed kami para sa next game namin and more effort pa sa naging outcome ngayon (Of course, UP has the twice-to-beat advantage. It’s definitely a tough challenge for us, having to beat them twice. We just need to stay composed for our next game and put in even more effort than we did today),” said Sagaysay, who just recovered from a right ankle injury.
“First of all, grateful ako na nakabalik after one month. Ang napi-feel ko lang ngayon ay sobrang saya dahil na-overcome namin as a team ang challenge ngayon. We know na hindi pa ito pagtatapos and alam namin na marami pang challenges and mas marami pa kaming mga games na kailangang harapin at challenges na kailangan naming i-overcome as a team (First of all, I’m grateful to be back after one month. Right now, I’m just feeling incredibly happy because, as a team, we managed to overcome the challenges we faced. We know that this isn’t the end; there are still many more challenges ahead, and we have more games to play and obstacles to overcome as a team),” said Sagaysay, who dished out 12 excellent sets to help Adamson gain 43 attack points.
Jelai Gajero paced the Fighting Maroons with 14 points, 13 from attacks, while Kiana Olango contributed eight points on six attacks and two blocks.
The winner of the Adamson-UP match on Sunday will face the winner between National University and Letran in the knockout semifinals on Nov. 21 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. (PNA)
