Adamson soars to Shakey’s finals
ADAMSON soared to the Shakey’ Super League (SSL) National Invitationals finale, sending the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta crashing back to Earth with a convincing 25-19, 25-21, 25-16 semifinal victory Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Falcons needed only 76 minutes to bag the win in straight sets and halt the Lady Altas on a high momentum after eliminating two-time NCAA champion College of St. Benilde in the quarterfinals.
Four players racked up twin digits led by Ayesha Juegos with 29 points as Adamson arranged a duel against the winner between La Salle and University of Santo Tomas, which are still clashing as of press time, in the best-of-three finals next week.
Maria Rochelle Lalongisip banged in 21 points while Lucille Almonte and Lorene Toring added 15 and 10 points, respectively, for yet another sweep of Adamson in the 12-team SSL presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider, and in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
“Unang-una, sabi ko nga with God’s will, makakaakyat kami ng finals. Ito na ‘yun, binigay na sa amin. Kailangang paghandaan namin ‘yung finals,” said first-year coach JP Yude as Adamson, albeit with a young squad, reached another milestone after a UAAP bronze medal finish.
Adamson, next to La Salle, is the only other team to not yield a single set in the SSL featuring champions and qualifiers from NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with support from Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Summit Bottled Water, Genius Sports, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea.
The Lady Falcons notched the first set but were pushed to the brink of absorbing a dent in the second with a 17-21 deficit only for Juegos, Toring and Almonte to stage a searing 8-0 closeout.
Smelling blood, Adamson sprinted to a 6-0 start in the third and never looked back to clinch the win that served as a fitting revenge after losing to Perpetual in a friendly match in five sets prior to the SSL.
“Ang mindset namin ay kailangan ma-shutdown ‘yung mga hitters nila. Alam namin na mataas kumpyansa nila (after that win vs CSB). Kahit paano, nakabawi kami,” added Yude.
Shaila Omipon, Razel Paula Aldea and Charmaine Ocado had 17, 16 and 14 points, respectively, for Perpetual as NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol settled for only nine points after exploding for 33 in the historic win against St. Benilde.
All SSL matches are accessible across all platforms live and on-demand with Plus Network Digital Media Services, CNN Philippines, Solar Sports Entertainment and TAP Sports serving as media partners.
The historic National Invitationals, with support from Boy Tuikinhoy of Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., Alex Adeva of Northern Mindanao Volleyball Association of Coaches and Referees and San Juan Red Cross chapter, are also showing live in all Shakey’s branches nationwide.
