UAAP: Adamson escapes UST in women’s volleyball; Golden Spikers clinch Final Four slot

Adamson University escaped the University of Santo Tomas, 27-25, 25-20, 26-24, in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Filoil Centre in San Juan.

In the third set, the Golden Tigresses appeared to be forcing a fourth set after building an 18-14 lead, but the Lady Falcons recovered and unleashed a 6-2 run to tie the set at 20-all. Eventually, the two teams went neck-and-neck until the set was tied at 24-all. Shaina Nitura then drilled a crosscourt hit, while Eloi Dote sealed the victory with a block on Angge Poyos’ attack.

“We thank the Lord for the win and sa pagbibigay ng courage and everything sa mga bata this game,” Adamson head coach JP Yude said.

“We expected talaga a very tough game because we know na UST ay lalaban, and, noong first round, natalo namin sila straight sets. I always reminded them, especially nung third set, na we keep on going and we don’t give up because everything possible will happen. Nothing’s impossible if we keep on going talaga.”

Nitura had 19 points, 14 receptions, and 10 digs to lead the Lady Falcons, while Frances Mordi had 18 points and 11 receptions as they improved to 7-5.

Poyos had 15 points and 12 receptions as UST slipped to a similar 7-5 record.

Earlier, the UST men’s team defeated Adamson, 32-30, 18-25, 25-18, 25-17, to book a slot in the men’s volleyball Final Four.

UST improved to 8-4 and joined Far Eastern University and National University, leaving just one semifinals spot.

Josh Ybañez had 23 points and 26 receptions to lead UST, while Trevor Valera and Gboy De Vega had 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Golden Spikers.

Richard Besorio, meanwhile, led the Falcons with 18 points and 16 receptions as they slipped to 2-10.

—JKC, GMA News