Adamson University capped a dominant preliminary round campaign with a straight-sets win over Ateneo de Manila University, 25-22, 25-17, 25-11, on Sunday, September 7, at the Paco Arena Events and Sports Center in Manila.

The Lady Falcons completed a perfect 7-0 elimination record, yielding only three sets throughout the round. The streak was powered by Alas Pilipinas standout Shaina Nitura, rookie Abby Segui, and foreign student-athlete Frances Mordi, who continued to anchor the squad in the eight-team tournament organized by Sports Vision.

Lady Falcons fly high behind Nitura

Nitura turned in another explosive outing with 24 points on 21 kills, while also collecting nine digs and nine receptions. Mordi backed her up with 14 points and steady floor defense, as Adamson kept its foot on the gas in its seventh consecutive win.

“Yung teamwork talaga yung naging difference — on how they play as one,” said head coach JP Yude. “May mga lapses pa rin during the situation na may pressure and tough times, pero lagi ko rineremind na always need mag-respond in every situation kasi the more na nandoon tayo sa tough times, the more that we’ll stick together.”

Balanced effort completes sweep

After edging Ateneo in the opening frame, Adamson surged ahead with a 9-2 run in the second set to create separation. The Lady Falcons then raced to a commanding 16-5 lead in the third, capped by aces from Nitura and kills from Mordi and MG Del Moral, before sealing the sweep in just 82 minutes.

Segui added eight points, while Del Moral and Lhouriz Tuddao chipped in a combined 13 markers. Setter Fhei Sagaysay kept the offense organized with 22 excellent sets, while libero Juris Manuel steadied the floor defense with nine digs and nine receptions.

Ateneo, which fell to 1-5 after back-to-back defeats, officially bowed out of semifinal contention. Zey Pacia led the Blue Eagles with 10 points in a losing effort. They look to end their campaign on a winning note against Far Eastern University on Wednesday, September 10, at the same venue.