Adamson downs UP anew, completes SSL Unity Cup semis cast

MANILA, Philippines — Adamson University completed a historic reversal, overcoming University of the Philippines’ twice-to-beat advantage with a 25-19, 22-25, 25-7, 25-16, victory in the quarterfinal sudden death to advance in the Final Four of the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Sunday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.  Seasoned hitters Frances Mordi and Shaina Nitura led the Lady Falcons’ balanced scoring to upset the second-seeded Fighting Maroons and set up a knockout semifinal showdown against unbeaten five-peat-seeking National University. Final Four action in the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea, begins on November 21 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Adamson unleashed a decisive 13-3 counterattack to turn a 5-8 deficit at the start of the fourth set into a commanding 18-11 advantage. The Lady Falcons kept their distance the rest of the way. Mordi put the cherry on top with a thunderous crosscourt kill to end the one-hour, 56-minute rubber match. Mordi uncorked 22 points on 18 kills, three aces and a kill block as Adamson became the first team in league history to survive a twice-to-win disadvantage.       “I just want to give thanks to God for giving us this opportunity...