MANILA — Adamson University Lady Falcons overcame a twice-in-sets deficit and the absence of reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player Shaina Nitura to pull off a thrilling 22-25, 25-19, 16-25, 27-25, 15-12 victory over University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in Game 1 of the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge finals on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Frances Mordi delivered a 24-point performance as the Lady Falcons survived a grueling five-set battle to move within one victory of successfully defending their V-League championship.
The dramatic triumph was particularly impressive as Adamson played without Nitura, who was unavailable following her stint with Alas Pilipinas in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
After splitting the opening two sets, Adamson struggled in the third frame as UST regained control with a convincing 25-16 victory to move ahead, 2-1.
The Lady Falcons, however, refused to surrender, surviving a tense fourth-set showdown, 27-25, to force a deciding fifth set.
“We thank the Lord for this win, for the strength ng mga bata na binigay ni Lord. For me, I’m very happy on how they performed this game kasi kahapon medyo nag-aaway-away pa kami sa ensayo, eh,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude.
“Pero because of the—’yun nga, ’yung training namin—ni-ready kami ni Lord for that situation kahapon sa training kasi itong fifth set pala ’yung magiging game namin. So, very happy and very glad,” he added.
With Adamson clinging to a 10-9 lead in the deciding set, the Lady Falcons capitalized on an attack error by UST’s Marga Altea before Fhei Sagaysay executed a clever push to extend their advantage to 12-9.
The Golden Tigresses continued to threaten, but Mordi delivered a crucial cross-court attack that brought Adamson to match point, 14-12.
Angeline Poyos kept UST’s hopes alive with an off-the-block hit before Sagaysay orchestrated the decisive play, setting up Janna Dizon for a quick attack that completed Adamson’s remarkable comeback.
Mordi spearheaded the Lady Falcons’ offense with 21 attacks, two blocks and one service ace while contributing 11 excellent receptions.
Joy Aseo provided valuable offensive support with 19 points, all from attacks, while Tuddao contributed 12 points and 11 excellent digs.
Sagaysay directed Adamson’s offense with 28 excellent sets and four points, while Juris Manuel anchored the defense with 12 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
Dote also contributed eight points, including three blocks, as the Lady Falcons displayed their depth in Nitura’s absence.
For UST, Regina Jurado delivered a game-high 25 points built on 19 attacks, three blocks and three service aces, along with 19 excellent digs.
Poyos added 17 points and 11 excellent receptions, while Altea and Unekwe chipped in 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Despite their balanced offensive production, the Golden Tigresses failed to capitalize on their early advantage and now face a must-win situation in Game 2 to keep their championship aspirations alive.
Adamson, meanwhile, will seek to complete a finals sweep and secure its second consecutive V-League Collegiate Challenge championship./PN
