Adamson University leaned on a huge second-set comeback to capture Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals series in the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge, defeating Far Eastern University, 25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23, on Monday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Falcons now move within one win of their first-ever crown in the revived V-League and their first championship in a Sports Vision-backed tournament since the 2019 Premier Volleyball League Collegiate Conference. Game 2 is set for Wednesday at the Dasmariñas Arena at 2 p.m.
With the fourth set hanging in the balance, Frances Mordi rose to the occasion, scoring four crucial points to stave off the gritty stand of Lovely Lopez and the Lady Tamaraws.
With the defense collapsing on the Nigerian outside hitter, Shaina Nitura sealed the match with a thunderous kill after two hours and one minute of play.
"Praise God for the win; dahil talaga 'to kay Lord and sa hard work ng mga bata," said head coach JP Yude. "I'm pleased with how they played na kahit 'yung lamang 'yung kalaban, pero, at the same time kasi tinatrabaho amin 'yan.
"Sa practice, ginagawa naming 'yan na kung paano kung down tayo ng five points. So, at least na-apply nila during the game. And na-appreciate ko ginawa nila ngayon and I'm proud of them."
Nitura, the Alas upstart and Adamson captain, exploded for 30 points on 29 attacks, while also tallying 12 digs and 18 excellent receptions.
At times, she even played the role of sweeper in the fourth set. Mordi backed her up with 21 points, many of them in the decisive closing stretch.
Setter Fhei Sagaysay also proved pivotal in the tight moments, tossing 22 excellent sets while adding four points, including a timely 1-2 play in the fourth set.
Yude emphasized the importance of finishing the series in two games and urged his players to stay locked in.
"Kailangan lang hindi kami magpabaya on how we play sa second game. Kailangan pa rin naming trabahuhin talaga," he added.
The Lady Tamaraws nearly stole the momentum in the second set, surging to a 21-14 lead after dropping the opener. But Nitura and the Lady Falcons methodically chipped away at the deficit before snatching the set to grab a commanding 2-0 advantage.
Gerz Petallo and Kyle Pendon scored 17 points apiece for FEU, but their efforts were not enough to lift the Lady Tamaraws to a winning start in the Finals.
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