Finals slot secured!
The Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons trounced the University of Perpetual Help Lady Altas in three sets, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16, in the semifinals of the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Friday.
“Nung una slow start, pero naniwala talaga ako sa mga bata na kaya nilang talunin and then makuha yung panalo. By God’s grace talaga na first time nakapasok sa finals dito sa Shakey’s,” Coach JP Yude said.
As per Akari Sports’ unofficial tally, MVP of the Match Ayesha Juegos churned out 18 big points spread out on 12 attacks, four aces, and 12 blocks for Adamson who stayed unblemished heading into the finale.
In the first set, the Lady Falcons saw themselves in a nip-and-tuck affair with the Lady Altas. The former created some separation as they built a five-point lead midway through, but the latter clawed their way back to trim the deficit two. Almonte, then, put the team on his back and scored the last three points to give Adamson the set.
UPHSD looked to tie the match in the second set as it built a 21-17 advantage late, Adamson however clawed their way back with an 8-0 blast to steal the set, and the Lady Falcons smelled blood from their prey. The San Marcelino-based crew raced to a 17-7 lead in the third canto and never took its foot off the gas pedal to clinch the victory.
“Proud ako sa mga bata kasi one month palang kami nag-eensayo pero the Lord blessed us na makapasok sa finals then sa kanila, nakikita ko naman yung hard work nila. Nandun na yung displina pati yung pag-obey sa sinasabi nung coaches in and outside the court so yun yung gusto kong i-implement sa kanila, the right attitude,” Yude said.
Adamson will face the winner of the DLSU-UST match in the best-of-three finals commencing on Wednesday, August 9, 4pm still at the same venue.