Moving day
Everything was about getting closer to goals on Wednesday.
Adamson University inched towards an outright Final Four slot, while La Salle moved closer to an elimination-round sweep in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Adamson swept the University of the Philippines, 25-19, 25-18, 25-16, to improve to 8-5 and secure solo third place, staying temporarily ahead of Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas, who are half a game behind at 7-5.
The Lady Falcons are now one win away from clinching their first Final Four appearance since Season 85 in 2023.
“We stuck to what we trained for during preparation. We always tell the players to stay focused and locked in because anything can happen,” coach JP Yude said.
Shining Shai
Shai Nitura powered Adamson with 26 points, built on 23 attacks and three blocks, adding six digs and six receptions. She took over in the latter sets, scoring nine in the second and 10 in the third.
Tied at 11 in the third, Adamson broke away with a 14-5 finishing run to complete the 68-minute sweep, replicating its first-round win over UP.
Joy Aseo added 10 points, including four aces, while Eloi Dote chipped in seven. Setter Fhei Sagaysay tallied 21 excellent sets and four points.
UP fell to 5-8 and will miss the Final Four for the eighth straight season. Kianne Olango led the Fighting Maroons with 13 points.
Earlier, La Salle remained unbeaten at 13-0 after a 25-20, 25-18, 25-15 victory over winless University of the East.
The Lady Spikers are on the verge of their first elimination-round sweep since 2014, which would secure an outright Finals berth and trigger a stepladder format.
“There’s always pressure, but the coaches remind us to focus on what’s in front of us—one game at a time,” assistant coach Gian de Jesus said.
La Salle will attempt to complete the sweep against defending champion National University on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Angel Canino and Shevana Laput led a balanced attack with 12 points each, while Lilay del Castillo contributed nine, anchored by five blocks. Amie Provido added eight points.
The Lady Spikers seized control in the third set, turning a 4-all tie into a 15-9 lead before cruising to the straight-sets win in 78 minutes.
UE dropped to 0-13, extending its losing streak to 27 matches. Khy Cepada led the Lady Warriors with 13 points.
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