Lady Falcons ends nine-year final four drought after conquest of UP
Date Posted: April 24, 2023 at 04:24 PM

We are back.
After nine years of missing the Final Four, the Lady Falcons are officially back in the UAAP playoffs, fending off University of the Philippines, 25-20, 27-25, 23-25, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, April 22.
The San Marcelino squad, who improved their record to a 9-4 win-loss card, last made the semi-finals last Season 76 (2013-2014), when the Lady Falcons then bannered by Bang Pineda, Amanda Villanueva and a rookie Jema Galanza, downed FEU in the playoff for the fourth seed.
Adamson had the chance to score a sweep over the Diliman-based squad with the score tied at 23 in the third frame, but an uncharacteristic service error from Louie Romero and a blocked attack from Kate Santiago helped UP to force another set.
The Lady Falcons, though, mades sure that there would be no repeat of the previous set as they unleashed heavy attacks on their foes and posting a wide gap between them at 16-7 en route to clinching the match in two hours and 15 minutes.
"Mahirap talaga yung teams na dahil wala nang hinahabol, [like UP], wala nang pressure sa kanila. Kami yung medyo naging complacent lalo nung third set, [pero] nung fourth, nakadeliver naman [kaya] okay na rin," Lady Falcons’ assistant coach Rald Ricafort said of his wards.
The ladies also cannot hide their joy after the victory, achieving the feat after almost a decade.
"Sobrang happy kasi nine years, ngayon lang ulit kami nakapasok ng Final Four. Hindi kami pwedeng magstop there dahil marami pang games na pwedeng laruin," Lady Falcons outside hitter Lucille Almonte said.
Almonte led her team with an all-around performance of 13 kills and collected 20 digs, and 10 receptions.
Trisha Tubu added 11 points, all from attacks, while Lorene Toring also added 11 points including a team-high three blocks.
Lady Falcons libero Karen Verdeflor also had a field day with 21 digs and 17 excellent receptions.
Adamson will cap the eliminations on April 30 against FEU at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.