MANILA, Philippines — Adamson and vastly-improved National University downed separate rivals on Wednesday to force a tie for third spot in the 73rd UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan. The reigning Shakey’s V-League second conference champions, the Lady Falcons beat struggling Ateneo, 25-22, 26-24, 25-21, while the Lady Bulldogs defeated University of the East, 25-18, 25-17, 20-25, 25-11.
Both Adamson and NU are tied on similar 3-2 slates for third to fourth spots, trailing La Salle and defending champion University of Santo Tomas, which will celebrate its 400th founding anniversary January next year.
Pau Soriano and ace scorer Angela Benting scored 16 points each for Adamson, which logged its second straight win after 1-2 start. The San Marcelino-based volleybelles beat Ateneo in 76 minutes.
Meanwhile, Maricar Nepumuceno exploded for 27 points, while Mervic Mangui and Rialen Sante added 13 and 12 points as the Lady Bulldogs surpassed their two-win effort from last season.
In softball action also held Wednesday at the University of the Philippines field in Diliman, Adamson demolished UST, 15-3, to complete a five-game sweep of the first round.
UE defeated Ateneo, 2-0, for its fourth win in five games to wrest solo second spot while UP barged into the win column by blanking La Salle, 12-0.
The second round of the softball competitions resumes January 8 at the Rosario Sports Complex in Pasig City, while baseball action continues the next day at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.
