Adamson obliterates Ateneo in UAAP Women’s Volleyball opener

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Adamson Lady Falcons proved to be too much for the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) after dominating them in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18, 25-10, to open their UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball campaign on a high note on Feb. 15, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After falling short of a Final Four appearance last season, the revamped Lady Falcons, led by a laser-focused Shaina Nitura, immediately showed what they are capable of in the exciting and competitive Season 88.

Adamson’s back-to-back set wins quickly sucked the life out of the struggling Ateneo squad, which has yet to return to the Final Four since UAAP Season 84 in 2022.

The Lady Falcons almost got what they wanted in the first two sets, forcing Ateneo’s defense to collapse in the middle, which created more gaps in the backline, which was exposed by Nitura and the Adamson outside hitters.

Despite Ateneo’s in-game adjustment of putting more emphasis on floor coverage, the hyped Lady Falcons breezed through the game with ease, countering with more efficient attacks, including several cross-court conversions that sealed the 2-0 lead.

All hell broke loose during the third and final set, when Adamson blew the game wide open with an early 8-0 start.

Setter Fhei Sagaysay set the tone after her tricky serves made Ateneo work on every first-ball receive, followed by her on-point deliveries to Nitura and Frances Mordi.

Adamson inflicted more damage as the lopsided third set progressed, limiting Ateneo to just one point for almost nine minutes and establishing its biggest lead of the game at 16-1.

From there, Ateneo never recovered and threw in the towel, as its body language signaled defeat and disappointment against the rejuvenated Lady Falcons.

Nitura spearheaded Adamson’s mayhem with 16 points built on 12 successful attacks, along with eight excellent receptions and four excellent digs.

Backstopping Nitura was Mordi, who stepped up midway through the second set with 14 markers, while Sagaysay chipped in 13 excellent sets and three service aces.

The Lady Falcons look to sustain their momentum on Feb. 18, 2026, against the reigning UAAP champions National University (NU), while Ateneo aims for its first win of Season 88 on Feb. 22, 2026, against the University of the Philippines (UP).