MANILA – Adamson University Lady Falcons pulled off a stunning 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14 victory over De La Salle University Lady Spikers in Game 1 of the Shakey’s Super League finals on Wednesday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Lucille Almonte spearheaded the offense with 24 points, on 20 attacks, three service aces and a block, for the Lady Falcons, which took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three championship series.
Ayesha Juegos had 13 points, Sharya Nicole Ancheta and Lorene Toring added 10 apiece, while rookie Red Bascon ended with seven points, including back-to-back points that clinched the come-from-behind win for the Lady Falcons.
Down 2-1 after three sets and trailing 11-20 in the fourth set, the Lady Falcons mounted a huge fight back behind Almonte, Juegos and Toring to send the match to a deciding set.
Both teams engaged in a tight exchange early in the fifth frame but the Lady Falcons got a huge lift from super rookie Bascon, who broke the 14-all deadlock with back-to-back attacks.
“Lagi ko kasing sinasabi sa kanila, may tiwala ako sa kanila. Kaya I always encourage them, especially nung 4th set, down kami, sabi ko ‘di pa tapos ‘yung laban. ‘Di pa naman 25. Sabi ko isa-isahin natin. Tyagain natin,” said Lady Falcons head coach JP Yude.
“Siguro, na-absorb nila yun. Siguro nakita din nila sa akin, for me, ‘di pa talo. Ayusin nyo yung mga mukha nyo, yung body language nyo. Hindi pa tapos ‘yung laban. Siguro nakita nila yung eagerness na i-push sila,” added the Negrense mentor.
Shevana Laput rifled in a tournament-high of 30 points, Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan added 14 points apiece while Baby Jyne Soreño had 11 points for the Lady Spikers.
Meanwhile, UST Golden Tigresses moved closer to a third place finish after a 25-15, 25-22, 25-15 win over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Lady Altas in Game 1 of the best-of-three bronze medal series.
Regina Jurado top-scored for the Golden Tigresses with 19 points, rookie Angeline Poyos added 13 markers, while Xyza Gula and Mary Banagua each ended up with 10 points apiece./PN
