Games today:
(FilOil EcoOil Centre)
2 p.m. — Perpetual vs UST
4 p.m. — La Salle vs Adamson
THEA Gagate and the La Salle Lady Spikers are determined to win the 2023 SSL National Invitationals title. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF SSL
Bad blood is expected to boil as collegiate powerhouse teams De La Salle University and Adamson University open their 2023 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals best-of-three title series today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers and the Lady Falcons will put their unbeaten run at stake when they collide in the series opener at 4 p.m. with the winner inching closer to the title.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and University of Santo Tomas clash to save a podium finish in the best-of-three battle for bronze starting at 2 p.m.
Title favorites reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions Lady Spikers, as expected, made their way to the finals with hopes of ending up with the crown this time after a runner-up finish last year in the SSL Collegiate Preseason Championship.
But standing in La Salle’s way are the Lady Falcons, who seek to pull off a huge upset in their first tournament under new coach JP Yude.
The Lady Spikers, despite missing the services of UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Players Angel Canino and libero Justine Jazareno, whose status in the team remains under wraps, are still as sharp as ever.
La Salle won all its four matches, including a challenging five-set survival of UST in the knockout semifinal last Friday.
Facing a feisty opponent in a rematch of their UAAP Final Four encounter, the Lady Spikers needed to save 10 match points in the fourth and fifth sets before pulling through in the super extended five sets, 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 26-24, 26-24.
The trio of Shevana Laput, Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan will again try to lead La Salle to victory over an opponent parading a different cast following a major shakeup after the UAAP season.
“We are facing an unfamiliar team that went through many changes. It’s important that we learn and understand what their tendencies are when we face them on Wednesday,” Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo said.
Indeed, Adamson is not the same squad La Salle faced in the UAAP. The Lady Falcons saw the departure of head coach Jerry Yee along with key players including Kate Santiago, Trisha Tubu and setter Louie Romero.
But Yude in just a month turned Adamson into a formidable young team led by Lucille Almonte, Ayesha Juegos and rookie Red Bascon.
The Lady Falcons swept their way into the finals without dropping a set including a 25-19, 25-21, 25-16, demolition of the Lady Altas in the semis.
Going up against a taller and battle-tested rival is a big challenge but Adamson is raring to give it a shot.
“We need to be more aggressive inside the court and show consistency, that’s very important. Also, we just have to be patient especially when we commit mistakes and try to bounce back,” Juegos said.
Game 2 of the finals is on Saturday while Game 3, if needed, is on Sunday.
