Second-year setter Fhei Sagaysay found offense for herself to help the Adamson Lady Falcons hold off the gutsy UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball action.
The Adamson Lady Falcons were able to count on Fhei Sagaysay for playmaking and then some in their four set win over the UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 88 Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Sagaysay, who had 15 excellent sets for the Lady Falcons, also fired 10 big points to serve as an unlikely scoring backup for Shaina NItura and Frances Mordi.
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While it was rare scoring outburst for a setter, Sagaysay said that she simply wanted to contribute.
“Di ko naman siya dinesire ng heart ko, kung ano lang talaga makakatulong sa team and yung goal po muna ng team bago yung individual,” she said.
Sagaysay did most of her damage from the service line, firing five aces to go along with four attack points and one block.
Challenged by a win-hungry UE side, Sagaysay's aces ended up being crucial in swinging momentum to Adamson's way.
“Dun ko lang din binabawi yung team na kung kaya pong makaabante sa serving area, ba’t hindi po. Somehow, dun nalang din po ako bumabawi para makaangat din po yung team namin and makaputol momentum po,” she said.
Sagaysay also manned the offensive game plan, which made the most of Nitura and Mordi’s power. She was also able to activate the likes of Lhouriz Tuddao and Abegail Segui.
Spark of the game
After the match, Adamson head coach JP Yude lauded his setter’s performance.
“It’s a very important thing kasi and [I’m] happy and syempre di ba na kahit setter namin, they’re contributing especially sa serve because that is always our goal. We keep serving good to keep the opponents out of system so that yung block, and defense namin madali lang,” said Yude.
“I’m very glad no sa laro ni Fhei. All of them naman. Kahit may mga challenges, we respond talaga ng maayos during the game,” he added.
Sagaysay and the rest of the Lady Falcons hope for more performances like this as they go on a one-week break before facing the FEU Lady Tamaraws on Sunday, March 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.