Soaring Adamson seeks to complete its flight to the Promised Land when it battles UAAP titlist La Salle in Game 2 of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals finals Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Their confidence boosted by a stunning 5-set victory in Game 1, the Lady Falcons are expected to deliver the coup de grace in their 4 p.m. showdown.
Certainly, it’s not going to be easy.
The Lady Spikers, for one, would do everything to drag the series to full route on Sunday.
Adamson, getting help from almost everybody, drew first blood in the race-to-two duel with a dramatic 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14 win to move on the verge of becoming the inaugural national champion of the event presented by Eurotel and Victory Liner and held in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Expected to deliver for Adamson are Lucille Almonte, Ayesha Juegos, Lorene Toring and Sharya Ancheta as well as super rookie Red Bascon.
Bascon delivered the telling blows in their epic come-from-behind triumph.
But the Lady Falcons are far from being done, preaching the need to sustain a no-fear mentality against the mighty UAAP champion.
“Kailangang gustuhin natin na laging manalo. When it comes na tatapak kami sa loob ng court at maglalaro lang kami na La Salle ang kalaban natin, kakainin tayo ng buhay ng La Salle,” said coach JP Yude, wary of La Salle’s revenge.
La Salle, installed as the heavy title favorite right from the start of the 12-team SSL national tilt, indeed is raring to bounce back at all costs after relinquishing comfortable leads, including a 20-11 gap in the fourth set, of Game 1.
For the Lady Spikers with their backs against the wall, it’s a perfect chance to rediscover their aim and flaunt their championship pedigree amidst the adversity against the in-form and high-morale Lady Falcons.
“Everybody gave their all but there’s always room for improvement for all of us. It’s a lesson to work harder and play smarter. Obviously, (with) the winner and positive mindset, I know we can do this but it is (about) putting into work and the effort,” said ace player Shevana Laput, whose tournament-high of 30 points went to waste in the tough defeat.
Out to provide coverage for Laput are Alleiah Malaluan, Thea Gagate and Baby Jyne Soreño.
