Adamson University lost its starting setter in the opening set and still repeated as V-League Collegiate Challenge women’s champion. The Lady Falcons beat the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses, 25–23, 23–25, 26–24, 25–15, in Game 2 of the Finals on Friday, October 9.

Fhei Sagaysay, the league’s Best Setter, went down with a right ankle injury in that first set. Adamson adjusted and pulled away in the fourth at the FilOil Centre, clinching a second straight title in a showdown between the league’s last two women’s champions.

Frances Mordi, the season MVP and Finals MVP, led the way with 21 points on 18 attacks, two blocks and one service ace. Captain Shaina Nitura matched that total with 20 attacks and one ace, while Lhouriz Tuddao added 10 points and Janna Dizon seven.

Sapienza Steps Up After Sagaysay Injury

Bella Sapienza took over at setter and delivered 19 excellent sets, which Adamson converted into 62 attack points. Her work kept the offense humming as the Lady Falcons traded sets with UST before taking control of the match.

Head coach JP Yude praised how his players handled the setback and credited his faith. “I really thank the Lord on how he puts our hearts on how we respond properly during that situation,” he said.

Mordi said the team trusted one another while missing one of its strongest players. “We can play without her, but with her, we are stronger. It’s a win-win for everyone,” said the Nigerian standout.

Strong starts decided the first three sets. Adamson won the first and third frames by capitalizing on UST’s defensive and service errors, with Nitura leading the opening charge and Mordi hitting three straight kills late in the third.

UST leveled the match at one set apiece behind its net defense, as Em Banagua and Zinny Unekwe shut down Adamson’s attackers in the second. Kim Rubin and Angge Poyos then supplied timely kills to close that set.

In the fourth, a Mordi service ace made it 11–8, and back-to-back Tuddao kills stretched the lead to 13–9. Nitura then scored three straight points, on two kills and an ace, for an 18–11 cushion, and Adamson never looked back.

Unekwe paced the Golden Tigresses with 12 points on seven attacks and five blocks. Rubin and Reg Jurado added 11 points apiece, while Poyos was limited to five points.

Lady Falcons Sweep V-League Awards

Adamson also dominated the individual honors. Sagaysay won Best Setter, and Tuddao, a converted winger, took Best Opposite Hitter. Mordi and Poyos were named the league’s Best Outside Spikers.

Mordi led all preliminary-round scorers with 157 points, built on 129 attacks at a 41.35 percent success rate, 14 blocks and 14 service aces. Poyos ranked among the top 10 scorers with 84 points.

Sagaysay finished the preliminary round with 145 excellent sets, an average of 4.83 per set played. Tuddao tallied 76 points on 69 attacks at a 38.98 percent success rate, three blocks and four service aces.

Middle blockers Eloi Dote and Dizon swept the Best Middle Blocker awards. Dote posted 40 points, including 21 kill blocks, while Dizon finished with 49 points on 25 attacks and 20 blocks.

University of the East captain Angge Reyes earned Best Libero after averaging 4.47 digs per set with 51.72 percent reception efficiency. The award recognized her work in both floor defense and reception.

The Lady Falcons now own back-to-back V-League Collegiate Challenge crowns, with depth carrying the program through adversity. The extent of Sagaysay’s injury was not immediately specified.