Newly appointed Adamson University head coach JP Yude praised his wards for showing great results despite still being in a rebuilding process following a major shakeup in the team.
The Lady Falcons advanced to the finals of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals facing powerhouse De La Salle University in their first tournament under Yude’s watch.
“I’m proud of these kids because it has been just one month since we started training. The Lord blessed us to get into the finals,” Yude said of his young but determined team.
Adamson saw drastic changes from its coaching staff to its players following its campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85.
The school parted ways with head coach Jerry Yee after just one season while key players Kate Santiago, Trisha Tubu, libero Cae Lazo and Ckyle Tagsip opted to forgo their eligibility years to turn pro. UAAP Season 85 skipper and ace setter Louie Romero also left the team, leaving behind a squad filled with young players.
However, Yude, a former Adamson men’s volleyball standout, and the remaining holdovers embraced the challenge of building a new foundation for the Lady Falcons to be able to soar once again.
The Lady Falcons led by Lucille Almonte, Ayesha Juegos, Lorene Toring, and Rochelle Lalongisip barged into the best-of-three championship against the reigning UAAP champions after a dominating run.
Adamson beat all of its first four rivals including an emphatic sweep of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16, last Friday in the knockout Final Four.
“I can clearly see the hard work they put in from training to our actual game. They are very disciplined and they obey what the coaches wanted them to do in and outside of the court,” Yude said.
“That’s what I really wanted to instill in them. To have the right attitude in and outside of the court.”
Yude admitted that the team remains a work in progress but is moving in the right direction.
“I always tell them that they have the skills. We just need to sharpen it more and make it work for the team,” he said.
The mentor also welcomed the tough task of going head-to-head with the towering Lady Spikers.
“It will give us a chance to see where we are as a team. It will help us a lot facing the UAAP champion,” Yude said.
“I’m just telling my team to just trust the process. It will be difficult but at the end of the day you must endure the process and the Lord will take care of whatever the result of our hard work will be.”
Game 1 of the finals is on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
