MANILA -- Adamson University is one win away from a first-ever girls' volleyball championship -- and a perfect campaign in UAAP Season 86.

This, after the Baby Lady Falcons secured a 25-23, 25-20, 28-26 triumph over defending two-time champion National University Nazareth School in Game 1 of the best-of-3 Finals, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Adamson has now won 13 straight matches after a 12-0 sweep of the elimination round. They can wrap up the tournament in Game 2 on Monday, still in the San Juan venue. 

The Lady Bullpups appeared ready to extend the match until Adamson's Shaina Nitura came alive in the third set, leading them to a 20-all deadlock. 

They won the last three points of the set to end the affair after an hour and 46 minutes. 

• UE rallies to stun NUNS, forces do-or-die for boys' volleyball crown

"Siguro ang difference talaga dito is 'yung how the players, paano sila lumaban talaga. Sabi ko rin sa kanila, one last push lang sa third set because ang dami ng sumasakit sa legs nila," said Adamson head coach JP Yude.

Adamson and NUNS played a back-and-forth opening set capitalizing on the advantages the squads had on their opponents in every rotation, but breaks of the game saw the former take the first in a close 25-23 finish.

The second saw another nip-and-tuck affair between both sides before two consecutive errors from the Bullpups gave the Baby Falcons the upper hand at 18-16.

From there, Fel Sagaysay turned to her multiple options aside from Nitura, finding Sam Cantada and even middle hitter Tuds Tuddao and Angie Del Moral not only for a 7-4 run, but also the 2-0 set advantage.