The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
Add the first Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals championship trophy to La Salle’s growing collection
With Shevana Laput, Thea Gagate, Amie Provido and Alleiah Malaluan leading the way, La Salle brought down UAAP rival Adamson, 25-19, 25-22, 25-17, in Game 3 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City over the weekend.
Also the reigning UAAP champions, the Lady Spikers wrapped up the best-of-three championship, 2-1.
Adamson took the opener in five sets, 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14 but La Salle equalized, 25-23, 25-12, 25-18, in the second game to set the stage for a winner-take-all title duel.
Laput l, who earned MVP honor, was again the leading lady for La Salle as she unloaded 13 points on 11 hits and two blocks.
Laput averaged 20.3 points in the finals highlighted by a 30-point eruption in Game 1 before putting up 18 in Game 2.
She had ample support.
Gagate (1st Middle Blocker), Provido (2nd Best Middle Blocker) and Malaluan (2nd Best Outside Hitter) added 10 points apiece as La Salle needed only 89 minutes to pull off a reverse sweep in the 12-team SSL nationwide tourney presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
“Sa amin, exposure ang hanap namin dito pero ito bonus na nag-champion. Maganda kasi kahit paano, nakita namin ‘yung mga kulang pa at kailangang i-adjust pagdating ng UAAP,” said assistant coach Noel Orcullo, noting the Lady Spikers clinched another title even without UAAP Rookie-MVP Angel Canino.
Actually, La Salle trailed, 8-11, early in the first set before unleashing a 10-1 barrage capped by a Gagate block to take command at 18-12.
The Lady Spikers went on to win the opening set, 25-19.
It was a close game in the second set with the Lady Falcons even taking a 23-22 cushion following a 15-5 uprising. But Provido hammered one down and Gagate put on a single block for a narrow 25-22 La Salle win.
The third set was a La Salle show.
Lucille Almonte, who erupted for 24 points in a stunning Game 1 escape act for the Lady Falcons, had 11 points to lead Adamson and new coach JP Yude yo a runner-up finish in the tourney also by backed by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Summit Bottled Water, Genius Sports, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea.
Other awardees included Bernadett Pepito (Best Libero) and Angeline Poyos (1st Best Outside Hitter) of the University of Santo Tomas, which bagged the bronze medal with a 2-0 sweep of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
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.
