Adamson University moved a step closer to defending its crown, advancing to the Finals of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge with a masterful sweep of the University of the East, 25–21, 25–17, 25–20, on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Falcons will face UAAP rivals University of Santo Tomas in the best-of-three Finals series, starting Wednesday, October 7, at the same San Juan venue.
With captain and Alas Pilipinas mainstay Shaina Nitura back in the starting lineup, Adamson wasted no time in wrapping up the match in three sets.
Riding the momentum of their 2–0 advantage, the defending champions leaned on what had worked in the opening two frames—defense both at the net and on the floor—to erase deficits and eventually seize control.
Frances Mordi delivered a kill in transition before Adamson’s defensive pressure forced Keisha Famulagan into a reaching-over-the-net violation, giving the Lady Falcons a 22–19 lead.
Nitura nearly produced a triple-double in her first full match back in Adamson jersey, finishing with 13 attacks, nine excellent receptions, and 15 digs. Still, the captain was even prouder of what the team had accomplished while she watched from the sidelines.
“Happy ako kasi collectively binubuhat talaga nila ‘yung team. Bawat posisyon may ginagawa talaga and gusto talaga nilang manalo. Nagbubunga na rin ‘yung investment namin sa sarili namin: ‘yung pagod, ‘yung iyak, ‘yung hirap sa mga past tournaments namin,” said the seasoned captain.
Mordi once again led Adamson’s offense with 14 points, all coming from attacks, while Lhouriz Tuddao and Eloi added 12 and six, respectively.
Adamson had to shake off a sluggish start before Fhei Sagaysay found Mordi, as they have done throughout the season, for consecutive back-row kills that gave the Lady Falcons a 22–21 lead.
A Dote block and an attack error by the Lady Warriors handed Adamson set point, which Janna Dizon promptly converted with a service ace.
Buoyed by their first-set escape, the Lady Falcons zoomed to a five-point, 13–8 lead in the second with Nitura and Tuddao finding the lines with their strong hits.
Van Bangayan and Bea Zamudio tried to pull UE back into the frame, but Nitura delivered the finishing blows to give Adamson a 2–0 advantage and set the stage for the eventual sweep.
No Lady Warrior finished in double figures, with Edcynth Brago coming a point shy at nine. Bangayan and Zamudio added six and eight points, respectively. (Adrian Co)
