The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
Reigning UAAP champion La Salle struck back with a vengeful 25-23, 25-12, 25-18 victory over Adamson in Game 2 to force a rubber match in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Unfazed by their disappointing five-set defeat in the opener where they blew a commanding lead in the fourth set, the Lady Spikers took down the soaring Lady Falcons in only 79 minutes to extend the best-of-three series to a winner-take-all on Sunday.
There is little time to celebrate, however.
La Salle and Adamson return to battlefield at 4 p.m.Sunday to fight it out for the last time for the title of the 12-team competition held in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider.
Shevana Laput, whose 30-point eruption in Game 1 went down the drain in a 25-22, 17-25, 25-17, 25-27, 14-16 defeat, again led La Salle with 18 points on 18 hits.
She got plenty of help from Amie Provido, who contributed 13 points; Thea Gagate, who had nine; and Maicah Larroza and Alleiah Malaluan, who had six points.
“Actually, ‘yun naman ‘yung sinabi namin sa kanila na hindi pwedeng pupunta tayo (sa laban) na magpapatalo tayo. Kailangan manalo. Kailangan maipakita naman sa kanila na defending champion tayo sa UAAP,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.
“(Kailangan) ma-prove to them na hindi namin basta-basta ibibigay ‘yung panalo sa kalaban,” added Orcullo, whose team led by as many as 10 points in each of the last two sets.
Ayesha Juegos topscored for the Lady Falcons with 12 points.
But Lucille Almonte, who sizzled for 24 points the opener, was held to only six.
In the first game, University of Santo Tomas defeated University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-13, to clinch third place.
Except in the third set, the Kungfu Reyes-mentored Golden Tigresses were on target throughout as they completed a 2-0 wipeout in their best-of-three battle for third place after an easy 25-15, 25-22, 25-15 win in Game 1.
It’s the first medal of the Golden Tigresses in any major tournament since 2019 when they finished runner-up to Ateneo in the UAAP Season 81.
“Finally, nagkaroon din kami ng medal. New faces, new chapter for us. We’re a very young team pero may spice ng konti. Parang siling labuyo lang,” said Reyes.
Rookie Angeline Poyos fired 26 points on 16 hits, two blocks and eight aces while sophomore Regina Jurado added 19 points to lead UST.
The event is supported by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Summit Bottled Water, Genius Sports, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea.
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 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.