Adamson University did not need its head coach on the bench to look every bit like a title contender. The Lady Falcons dominated San Beda University, 26-24, 25-19, 25-19, on Sunday, September 27.

The win capped the 2026 V-League Collegiate Challenge preliminaries at Gameville Central Park in Mandaluyong City. Adamson enters the semifinals as the tournament’s top seed.

Marco Steps In as Adamson Survives Early Scare

Head coach JP Yude was away in Ateneo, guiding the school’s UAAP high school squad. Assistant Wayne Marco took the reins and steered Adamson through a tense opening set. The Lady Falcons escaped that frame before pulling away in the next two.

San Beda’s Lady Red Spikers battled toe-to-toe with Adamson early on. The defending champions narrowly survived the opening set before seizing total control. San Beda mounted fightbacks in both remaining frames, but neither was enough.

“How to adjust pa rin every game; aral pa rin kung sino ‘yung makakalaban. And papaano kami mag-re-respond sa game,” Marco said. He called in-game adjustments the team’s biggest takeaway from the eliminations round.

Mordi, Aseo Lead Adamson’s Balanced Attack

Frances Mordi led all scorers with 17 points on 15 kills, one block and one service ace. She also chipped in seven excellent receptions to round out an all-around effort.

Joy Aseo backed her up with 13 points and nine excellent receptions. Lhouriz Tuddao rounded out Adamson’s scoring with nine points and seven digs.

Adamson closed the preliminaries with a 6-1 record to claim the tournament’s top seed. Marco, a former De La Salle University ace setter, wants his squad to stay focused rather than look ahead.

“Gusto naming ma-overcome nila ‘yung pag-commit ng error after an error. And yung mentality, kasi minsan sumosobra naman yung kumpiyansa, nagla-lie low. Gusto namin ma-keep yung pacing namin hanggang matapos ‘yung game,” Marco added.

The Lady Falcons now turn their attention to the semifinals as they chase back-to-back V-League titles. Their depth on the bench and in the coaching staff will be tested further in the games ahead.

San Beda, meanwhile, closed its campaign with a 3-4 record. The Lady Red Spikers finished just one win short of a Final Four berth.

Daisy Cagas led San Beda’s scoring with eight points. Khim Culanay added six markers across two sets of action.