The Adamson University Lady Falcons pulled off a stunning 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, and 16-14 victory over the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in Game 1 of the Shakey’s Super League National 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, and 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 tight exchanges 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,” he added.
Shevana Laput rifled in a tournament-high of 30 points, Thea Gagate and Alleiah Malaluan added 14 points apiece, and Baby Jyne Soreño had 11 points for the Lady Spikers.
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