MANILA, Philippines–Adamson soared to its first victory in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after completing a reverse sweep of Ateneo, 21-25, 20-25, 25-12, 25-15, 15-12, on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“We thank the Lord for the win. Ni-remind ko lang din yung mga bata at coaches na kailangan naming trabahuhin kasi di pa tapos yung laban,” Adamson coach JP Yude said. “Basta kunin namin yung third at fourth set, kaya pang manalo. It’s a rough start for us but we still got the win dahil sa effort ng mga bata.”

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Prized rookie Shaina Nitura proved her worth with 33 points built on 28 attacks, four blocks and an ace while Nigerian Frances Mordi contributed 23 points from 16 attacks, five blocks and a pair of aces for the young Lady Falcons.

READ: UAAP: Rebuilding Adamson’s success lies on rookie Shaina Nitura

“God is good all the time. If time and will Niya talaga, it will happen whatever the challenges tulad nung nangyari kanina na both sides nagka-injury,” Nitura said. “Siguro, kaya rin kami nanalo kasi ‘yung chemistry na nabuo namin ni kahit nasa lowest kami, we still stuck to each other. Nagsandalan kami hanggang makuha namin’yung momentum namin.”

The Blue Eagles looked like they were going to cruise to their first win but the Lady Falcons had other plans after leveling the game at two sets apiece with a sudden change of energy and shift of momentum to their side.

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The two traded punches in the final frame until Nitura took charge down the stretch and put Adamson at match point. Mordi ended the affair with a through-the-block attack. Nitura had eight points alone in the deciding set.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

The victory, however, also saw one of the Lady Falcons’ key cogs Mayang Nuique go down with a right ankle injury in the opening set. Nuique was wheeled off the court and did not return.

AC Miner produced 18 points while Yvana Sulit and Tsunashima, before the injury, finished with 10 points apiece for the Eagles, who lost Zel Tsunashima to an apparent left leg injury in the fifth set. Tsunashima had to be stretchered off the court.

Adamson guns for a second straight victory against La Salle on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre while Ateneo aims to be better on Wednesday opposite defending champion National University.