Lady Falcons keep Lady Warriors winless

By Josiah Albelda Posted Jan 5th 2014

For a while, it looked like Adamson University was in for a long day.

Fortunately for the Lady Falcons, they woke up just in time.

The San Marcelino spikers recovered from a sordid first-set meltdown to down University of the East, 23-25, 25-15, 25-17, 25-10, in the 76th UAAP women's volleyball tournament Sunday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lady Warriors pulled off an opening-set stunner, clawing back from a 9-16 deficit to win their first set of the tournament, 25-23.

Adamson looked particularly shaky late in the frame, committing errors that did them in as UE dropped an 8-1 run punctuated by skipper Faith Bulan's aces to close the set.

Save for a few tense moments early in the third set, though, it was an all-Lady Falcons show from there.

Bang Pineda exploded for 17 points off 11 hits, five aces and a block to spearhead Adamson in posting their third win in five outings, good for solo fourth place in the eight-team field.

Rookie Mylene Paat also broke out for 13 points spiked by eight hits and a game-best four blocks even as petite Mandy Villanueva skied for 13 markers off eight kills, three blocks and two aces.

The Lady Falcons didn't lack weapons to brandish, too, as freshman Jema Galanza and Erika Alkuino also added seven points each for Adamson.

The Lady Warriors were led by rookie Shaya Adorador, who finished with 12 points in what is arguably her best performance this season.

The Recto spikers didn't help themselves by committing 35 unforced errors in skidding to 0-5. UE has not won a game since Season 74.