With just more than a month handling Adamson University’s women’s volleyball team, Head Coach JP Yude already elevated the rebuilding Lady Falcons above expectations in the recently-concluded Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals.
Adamson turned heads in their impressive SSL campaign, taking silver in a tournament that saw the top three teams from the UAAP and NCAA, including the top two teams from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In the group stage, Adamson swept the competition with straights sets victories over Jose Maria College Foundation Royals and Lyceum of the Philippines Lady Pirates.
The Lady Falcons then steamrolled through the championship as they did not drop a set against the University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Lady Altas in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
Next off, the San Marcelino-based squad put on a gallant stand against eventual champions De La Salle University Lady Spikers. AdU stunned DLSU with a come-from-behind victory in Game 1, but fell short in the last two games.
Still, Coach Yude lauded his team’s performance against one of collegiate volleyball’s giants.
“Sa game ngayon nakita ko naman na yung mga bata they did their very best, binigay naman nila lahat sadyang nag-fall short lang. Ganun talaga eh, it’s a great experience for us and learning sa mga bata na nakita nila kung paano maglaro yung La Salle,” he said.
For the Negrense tactician, forcing the Taft squad to a winner-take-all Game 3 was a testament to the mentality he wanted to infuse to the Lady Falcons.
“I thank the Lord na nakaisang game kami sa La Salle. Yun lang ang gusto kong ma-instill sa kanila na pag La Salle kalaban, hindi pwedeng talo na agad. Dapat ma-instill sa kanila na kaya naming talunin yan.”
Moreover, Coach Yude marveled at the Lady Falcons for their valiant effort all tournament long despite the short preparation time as believed that their perseverance in practice and games would eventually bear fruit.
“I’m very proud of them kasi pinakita nila na although one month pa lang kami nag-eensayo nang magkakasama, pinakita pa rin nila na kaya naming lumaban,” the former Soaring Falcon remarked, “Hindi ko naman inexpect na nandito kami ngayon. It’s all by the grace of God talaga na nakarating kami rito. Sabi ko nga lagi, we must endure the process and si Lord na ang bahala sa resulta,” he added.
Adamson still has a long way to go, but Coach Yude was all positive about the team’s run in the National Invitationals.
“Marami pa kaming kakulangan, dito namin nakita ngayon na hindi pa enough yung preparation namin for this tournament. Marami pa kaming kailangan i-develop sa mga bata but still yung run namin dito sa Shakey’s, it was good and I’m satisfied sa performance ng mga bata.”
