Silver isn’t all that bad.
The Adamson University Lady Spikers yielded to the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in three sets, 19-25, 22-25, 17-25, in Game 3 of the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals Finals at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan, Sunday.
Team skipper Lucille Almonte topped the scoring with 11 points coming from nine attacks and two service aces, while Lorene Toring and Ayesha Juegos tallied eight points apiece for a rebuilding Adamson squad who eclipsed their bronze finish in the same tournament last year.
“We’re thankful to the Lord na dinala niya kami dito sa championship. It’s a great experience for us especially rebuilding kami and one month palang kaming nag-eensayo, still nakarating kami sa championship and nabigyan namin ng magandang laban yung La Salle,” Coach JP Yude said.
The Lady Falcons engaged in a slugfest with the Lady Spikers to start the opening set, racing to an 11-8 lead. La Salle then countered with an 11-2 blast to build a six-point lead and never took its foot off the gas pedal to clinch the first.
In the second frame, DLSU looked to leave AdU in the dust with an 18-7 advantage. The San Marcelino-squad, however, rallied back to cut the lead to one late in the set before the Taft crew staved off the former’s comeback attempt.
With their backs against the wall, the Lady Falcons tried to put on a gallant stand against the reigning UAAP champs. Unfortunately, the Lady Spikers took control in the third set, pulling away midway through to spill the hopes of the Blue-and-White.
SSL National Invitationals MVP Shevanah Laput once again delivered for DLSU with 13 points off of 11 attacks and two blocks, while 1st Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate, 2nd Best Outside Hitter Alleiah Malaluan, and Jyne Soreno contributed 10 points each.
Adamson’s starting setter Angelica Alcantara bagged the Best Setter Award for her outstanding playmaking that led her school to an impressive run in the preseason tournament.
Getting the gold would have been the best icing on the cake, but the Lady Falcons, training under Coach Yude in just a little more than a month, exceeded expectations of the volleyball community, and they will only get better.