The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
Top favorite De La Salle and Adamson University will dispute the championship in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitational at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
La Salle showcased its championship caliber in a thrilling, come-from-behind 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 26-24, 26-24 victory over University of Santo Tomas.
And Adamson came away with a business-like 25-19, 25-21, 25-16 triumph over NCAA’s University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
The twin victories put the two UAAP rivals on collision course in this tournament organized by ACES and sponsored by Shakeys.
The Lady Spikers and Lady Falcons dispute the title in a best of-three title duel.
The losing semifinalists, UST and Perpetual Help, clash in a battle for third place
The Lady Spikers found themselves trailing 21-24 in the fourth set, Undeterred, the team showed incredible composure and mental strength in mounting a stunning 5-0 rally to level the set and force a
deciding fifth set.
In the fifth set, both teams exchanged blows and refused to back down.
La Salle saved an astounding seven match points during this nail-biting finish. The Lady Spikers sealed their victory with a crosscourt kill from Alleiah Malaluan after a single block from Thea Gagate.
After recovering from a minor knee injury that limited her playing time in UAAP Season 85, Malaluan showcased her remarkable form by leading La Salle with an impressive performance of 25 points from 20 hits and five aces Shevana Laput delivered 23 points, while Gagate chipped in with 14 points for La Salle.
The team is presented with a golden opportunity to make history as they aim to become the first-ever SSL national champion, having already dominated the UAAP with an almost flawless record of 16 wins
in their matches.
“Tulad ng sabi ko, ibang labanan na dito sa semis. Sabi ko lang sa kanila na kailangan ilabas ‘yung A-game nila,” said La Salle deputy mentor Noel Orcullo.
“Mukhang na-pressure kasi masyadong excited na ilabas ‘yung A-game. Mostly errors, lalo na sa service. Pinaalala lang namin sa kanila na ipakita nyo kung sino kayo.”
Setter Cassie Carballo delivered an unexpected hit, propelling UST to a match point advantage of 24-21 in the fourth set. However, La Salle responded with a relentless offensive, hammering five consecutive
points, culminating in Malaluan’s powerful attack.
Angeline Poyos and Regina Jurado led UST by staging a remarkable comeback from a 2-6 deficit to force a deuce at 14-all. From there, the match escalated into a fierce battle where both teams traded blows with equal ferocity.
Despite UST’s valiant efforts, they narrowly missed securing a spot in the finale, facing heartbreak on multiple occasions, with their latest chance at 24-23, courtesy of Poyos’ hit. Unfortunately, they conceded the subsequent three points, resulting in a bitter defeat.
Poyos had an outstanding performance, with 29 points, while Jurado contributed 25 points in an admirable effort for UST.
Despite the setback, UST will now shift its focus to the bronze medal match, also in a best-of-three format, where they will strive to claim the next possible prize against Perpetual.
Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons secured a decisive victory in straight sets, needing in only 76 minutes to halt the Lady Altas. This impressive triumph came on the heels of their elimination of the two-time NCAA champion, College of St. Benilde, in the quarterfinals.
Leading the charge was Ayesha Juegos, who contributed a remarkable 29 points.
Maria Rochelle Lalongisip was also instrumental in the victory, registering 21 points, while Lucille Almonte and Lorene Toring added 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Shaila Omipon, Razel Paula Aldea, and Charmaine Ocado, led Perpetual’s losing effort with 17, 16, and 14 points, respectively NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol settled for just nine points in this game, considering she had an explosive performance with 33 points 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.