UAAP: Adamson Lady Falcons vow to make most of Final Four stint

April 30, 2023 Times Europe

Adamson’s Trisha Tubu. UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Louie Romero and Trisha Tubu vow not to waste Adamson’s first Final Four appearance in nine years as they battle the twice-to-beat National University in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Lady Falcons clinched the No. 3 seed after beating the also-ran FEU Lady Tamaraws, 25-22, 26-28, 25-15, 25-17, to end the elimination round on a high note on Sunday at Filoil EcoOil Centre.

NU swept Adamson in the elimination round, needing five sets in the first round before making short work of the Lady Falcons in their second encounter.

Romero, who leads the Best Setter race, stressed that they need to work as a team if they are to defy the odds and topple NU.

“For me, it will be a good match on Wednesday because we played a bit off when we faced them in the second round so we have to play as a team and help each other,” said Romero in Filipino.

“We’re already here so I told them that it’s now or never. Let’s not waste the opportunity,” she added.

Adamson’s Louie Romero. UAAP PHOTO

Romero, who missed the Final Four last season after a heartbreaking playoff loss to Ateneo, credited their rise to new coach Jerry Yee.

“The new system of our coaches is effective and everyone’s listening and following their lead,” she said. “We just have to prepare, physically and mentally, and execute our game plan properly.”

Rookie sensation Tubu is thrilled heading into the Final Four in her first season.

“Expect us to keep on working until we make it to the Finals,” said Tubu in Filipino. “We worked hard to reach this place so we will continue to strive to the best of our abilities.”

Taking on a twice-to-beat defending champion, Tubu insisted that they just have to take it one step at a time.

“We need to focus one game at a time. When we win a set, we will try to get another one until we win the game and then we’ll try to beat them twice,” she added.