Games Saturday:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
2 p.m. – UST vs Perpetual
4 p.m. – La Salle vs Adamson
Adamson University sets its sights on claiming the crown while De La Salle University fights for dear life in Game 2 of the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals finals today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Beaming with confidence after drawing first blood in a stunner of a win in the best-of-three series opener, the Lady Falcons look to finish off the Lady Spikers and complete a clean sweep of the tournament in their 4 p.m. duel.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas goes for the bronze medal clincher against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta at 2 p.m.
But the spotlight remains on Adamson following its surprise come-from-behind 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14, upset win over title-favorite La Salle last Friday in Game 1.
Despite getting stripped of key veterans following a third-place finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines a couple of months ago and playing under a new system with rookie coach JP Yude, the Lady Falcons have been making heads turn with their impressive run.
Adamson, composed of a mix of seasoned holdovers and promising rookies, displayed grit and incredible composure under pressure when it fought back from an 11-20 deficit in the fourth set to force a decider.
The Lady Falcons then saved a match point before freshman Red Bascon hit back-to-back kills to complete the upset.
Yude will again rely on Bascon, skipper Lucille Almonte, who dropped 24 points in Game 1, Ayesha Juegos and Lorene Toring to finish the job.
“We can’t be too complacent in Game 2,” Yude, who replaced Jerry Yee, said.
The tactician, a former Falcons standout, also reminds his wards to remain hungry and not to let their guards down knowing the caliber of the reigning UAAP champions.
“We must always have that hunger to win. We need to have that mentality when we step inside the court against La Salle or else, they’ll just devour us,” he added.
The Lady Spikers are sure to throw everything they have to force a rubber match on Sunday.
“Obviously, we need to have the winner and positive mentality. I know we can do this but it is about putting in the work and effort,” sophomore Shevana Laput said.
Laput, who poured a personal-best 30 points in a lost cause in the opener, will have veterans Alleiah Malaluan, Thea Gagate and Baby Jyne Soreno to back her up.
But La Salle would also need to play disciplined volleyball this time after giving away 33 points off errors the last time to better its chances of extending the series.
On the other hand, the Tigresses seek to replicate their 25-15, 25-22, 25-15, win over the Lady Altas in Game 1 of their best-of-three series to bag the bronze medal with Regina Jurado and rookie Angeline Poyos leading the way.
