TO some, success is measured by how an athlete or a team responds to adversity.

Adversity was synonymous with the Adamson women’s volleyball team the past few months, until the Lady Falcons snatched the Shakey’s V-League Season Five first conference title against Ateneo Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

Their easy 25-17, 25-13, 25-17 win over the Lady Eagles made them sweep the best-of-three championship series to snare that elusive championship.

THE Lady Falcons respond to adversity and finally, they bring home the biggest trophy. --NONOY LACZA

Early this year, the Lady Falcons lost to Far Eastern University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 70 women’s volleyball finals despite being the No. 1 seed in the eliminations because of a superior record.

Even the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) Intercollegiate tournament crown, which coincided with the V-League, was not theirs for the taking as the defending champions lost to University of Santo Tomas, which incidentally did not participate in the V-League.

“It [responding to adversity] helped us with this championship. It made us improve our game and be stronger mentally and emotionally,” said Pante.

Most Valuable Player (MVP) Neriza Bautista, who had 30 points in Game One, chipped in a game-high 17 points Friday, more than enough to seal the championship.

“There was no doubt Bautista carried us to the championship. She really deserves this MVP,” said Pante.

Michelle Segodine had 13 points while Rissa Jane Laguilles finished with 12 for the Lady Falcons.

Thai import Em-orn Phanusit could only cough up 11 points as the Lady Falcons were able to seal off Ateneo’s scoring opportunities. Charo Soriano and Kara Acevedo chipped in eight and six points each. Only two other players scored for the Lady Eagles.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos, meanwhile, captured third place honors with a 25-18, 25-14, 25-17 win over Lyceum in the tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza, organized by Sports Vision and backed by Mail and More, ICT Call Center, 100Plus Energy Drink, Mikasa and Accel.

The individual awards went to Beverly Boto of Lyceum (best scorer), Soriano of Ateneo (best blocker), and Adamson’s Angela Benting (best server), Lizlee Ann Gata (best digger), Janet Serafica (best setter), and Mary Jane Pepito (best receiver).

Evergreen or Purple Rain?

The last time the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers faced off in the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals,

This time, AdU’s Lady Falcons refuse to wilt

TO some, success is measured by how an athlete or a team responds to adversity.

Adversity was synonymous with the Adamson women’s volleyball team the past few months, until the Lady Falcons snatched the Shakey’s V-League Season Five first conference title against Ateneo Friday at The Arena in San Juan.

BACOLOD CITY—Ferdie Aunzo staked his claim as the country’s top amateur when he captured the Philippine Amateur Golf Championship Sunday, overwhelming JR Tanpinco in their scheduled marathon 36-hole duel and cruising to a 5&4 victory at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club.

PROSPECTS for Harry Tañamor winning a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics are starting to look brighter.

LAHUG, Cebu—One-time world title challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres is back on his winning ways after he scored a significant 10-round shutout over tough Nick Otieno of Kenya Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel.

A BUNCH of National University (NU) players set up the winning run in the last inning and Manila preserved its unbeaten slate, 5-4, over Cebu in the Baseball Philippines Series III Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Ballpark.

AFTER conquering the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) anew, Harbour Centre team owner Mikee Romero now shifts his attention to a bigger responsibility in an organization that’s still searching for stability.

It is said that in the battlefield, there are no atheists. And when one is thousands of feet up high in the rooftop of the world, well, you’re living on a lifeline and a prayer.