Despite exodus, Adamson stays upbeat
Adamson University will march into the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament full of confidence despite missing most of its key players last year.
First-year coach JP Yude hopes the Lady Falcons will carry the momentum of their offseason success including a victorious conquest of the 2024 Akari Invitational Cup and translate it into another Final Four ticket.
But the former Adamson men’s volleyball team standout knows that it’s easier said than done.
“I don’t know what to expect. But for us, we need to work hard every game, every training,” Yude said.
The Lady Falcons finished third last year but saw the departure of head coach Jerry Yee after just one season. Adamson’s key players and veterans shortly followed suit.
Starting setter Louie Romero, high-scoring winger Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Rizza Cruz, Cae Lazo and Aprylle Tagsip jumped into the pros to join Yee in Farm Fresh.
Despite a stunning drain of talents, Adamson soldiered behind holdovers Lucille Almonte and Lorene Toring as the squad showed great potential under Yude’s system during its buildup for the collegiate wars.
The Lady Falcons finished runners-up to reigning UAAP champion De La Salle University in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals and a Final Four stint in the Collegiate Preseason Championship.
Just recently, Adamson defeated pro club Akari in five sets to rule the Akari Invitational Cup.
“This (Akari Cup title) will bring confidence to the team heading into the UAAP. We praise God for giving the kids the strength not to give up despite the exhausting game. We have learned a lot from this experience that hopefully we will carry into the UAAP,” Yude said.
However, the Lady Falcons would have to chase their goal without seasoned middle blocker Toring, who on the same day Adamson won the Akari Cup title announced that she underwent surgery on her injured right knee that forced her to end her UAAP career.
Now, Almonte will carry the responsibility of leading the young Lady Falcons.
“I have a huge role to play as I’m one of the veterans left from last season. I really need to step up and guide the team in the right direction,” the winger said.