By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Adamson University Lady Baby Falcons bagged the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League crown after a 25-20, 25-5, 25-22 sweep of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts in a one-game finale at the Adamson University Gym on Sunday night, June 9.
This was the Lady Baby Falcons’ second championship this year after also netting the UAAP Season 86 UAAP high school girls volleyball championship last February.
The Lady Baby Falcons waxed hot with a 7-1 run to start the first set and were later at set point at 24-17.
The Thunderbolts answered with three straight points, cutting the deficit to 20-24, but an attack error gave Adamson a 1-0 set edge.
Adamson continued their run in the second set as they quickly established a 12-3 lead.
The Lady Baby Falcons also benefitted from the Thunderbolts’ various miscues to secure a 2-0 set advantage.
Bacolod Tay Tung tried to stay alive in the third frame as they went toe-to-toe with Adamson for a 20-all deadlock, but the Lady Baby Falcons created a 23-20 separation to clinch their first title at Shakey’s.
Shaina Nitura was named as tournament MVP, while her Lady Baby Falcons teammates Lhouriz Tuddao (1st Best Middle Blocker), Abegail Segui (Best Opposite Hitter), Felicity Sumagaysay (Best Setter), and Samantha Cantada (2nd Best Outside Hitter) were also cited.
Thunderbolts’ Rhose Viane Almendralejo, who was consistent all tournament long for the Western Visayas-based volleybelles, was named 1st Best Outside Hitter, and Rhea May Tomas was adjudged as Best Libero.
Ilongga Ma. Robielle Silla of the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups was named as 2nd Best Middle Blocker of the two-week-long competition.
Meanwhile, the Kings’ Montessori School Lady Vikings joined the podium finishers after a 25-18, 24-26, 25-23, 25-22 victory over the Lady Bullpups in the bronze medal game.
Shekaina Lleses was named Player of the Game with 28 points.
The Far Eastern University Lady Baby Tamaraws ended in fifth with a 25-18, 25-23, 25-19 win over Arellano University High School, while Bethel Academy edged the Lyceum Junior Pirates, 22-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20, for seventh place./ASC, WDJ