ADAMSON’s seesaw season rolled on with a 25-17, 27-25, 25-16 win over Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Falcons remain stuck in a win-loss cycle, unable to build any streak in the elimination round.
Still, the result proved crucial as it pushed them back into the top four, drawing level with University of Santo Tomas at 5-4.
"Kailangan namin mag-grind talaga ng total hard work so that makapasok kami sa Final Four," said Adamson head coach JP Yude.
"Crucial game na 'yung mga natitira, so we need always to be more consistent and maging mentally tough every time."
Shaina Nitura delivered a strong two-way performance for Adamson with 25 points and 15 receptions, while Frances Mordi provided similar all-around impact with 15 points and 12 receptions.
Fhei Sagaysay finished with just seven excellent sets but made up for it on the defensive end with 10 digs to go with four points.
Spread their wings
Adamson got off to a clean start, with the one-two punch of Nitura and Mordi dictating the pace en route to an early set lead.
Ateneo pushed back in the second, forcing an extended battle from 23-all.
Zel Tsunashima and a costly Marie Joy Aseo service error saved two set points for the Blue Eagles, but Nitura took over late, firing off four straight points capped by a service ace to double Adamson’s advantage.
Once on the brink of a second-set slip, the Lady Falcons responded with urgency in the third set, unleashing a 9-2 burst that set the tone for a runaway frame and, ultimately, their fifth win of the season.
Tsunashima's nine points, three digs and three receptions paced the Blue Eagles' eighth loss in nine games this season.
Zey Pacia chipped in eight points and four digs, while Alex Montoro flirted with a double-double effort with nine points and eight receptions.
In contrast to Sagaysay’s 10 excellent sets on her own, Ateneo managed just eight as a team, with Taks Fujimoto and KC Cortez combining for the total.
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