The Adamson Lady Falcons stayed in the hunt for a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four as they drubbed the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Lady Falcons needed four sets to recover from a loss in their last outing with a 25-16, 25-19, 20-25, 27-25 victory over UE at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday, April 15.

Adamson is now sitting in the second spot with an 8-3 record, while the Lady Warriors remain winless in 11 games.

Kate Santiago paced the Falcons with 18 points while Trisha Tubu added 13 points to lift the team past the impressive performance of UE’s Van Bangayan in the entire game.

“Ayun, medyo naging inconsistent ‘yung bawat isa. Sabi namin, bawi lang kahit anong mangyari. Importante naman mai-panalo itong laro,” Adamson head coach Jerry Yee said.

After dropping the third frame, the Lady Falcons saw themselves down 5-9 before a 6-0 spurt to steal the lead, capped by a net infraction by the Lady Warriors.

Santiago made it a 21-17 lead with a drop shot, but Bangayan took over, carrying UE’s offense, which allowed them to force an extension, 24-all.

Tied at 25, Lucille Almonte went for an off-the-block kill to get at matchpoint before an error by KC Cepada to end the close game.

Bangayan hammered 27 big points while Cepada had 12 markers to steer UE in pushing the high-ranked Adamson to its limits.

The Lady Warriors challenged the Lady Falcons in the third as they established a 17-13 lead after Bangayan’s off-the-block kill.

Their separation ballooned to seven as Cepada unleashed an offspeed hit, 23-16. An off-the-block spike by Cepada again extended the game to fourth.  (ABS-CBN News)