La Salle Lady Spikers celebrate during their game against the Adamson Lady Falcons in the Shakey’s Super League. SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Thea Gagate exploded for 27 points as Alleiah Malaluan came to the rescue in the fifth set to save La Salle from a collapse, eking out a thrilling 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-8 victory over Adamson and gaining the last finals ticket in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Preseason on Friday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
With her team down, 0-3, in the decider, Malaluan took matters into her own hands and drilled the crucial blows as La Salle arranged a one-off title showdown with UAAP champion National University.
NU and La Salle renew their rivalry on November 19 five months after the Lady Bulldogs swept the Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 84 finals.
Malaluan’s kill and Fifi Sharma’s ace gave La Salle a 13-7 cushion before Malaluan scored again that put the Lady Spikers at match point, 14-8. An attack error by Rizza Cruz sealed the match after her attack went wide.
Gagate poured in 18 attacks, five blocks, and four aces for La Salle, which bounced back from a three-set defeat to Adamson in the second round which was the Lady Spikers’ lone defeat in the tournament.
“We just hung tight and we were determined to get back on them for this game,” said Gagate in Filipino. “I’m very excited again to face NU and of course, we will work hard to get back on them also.”
Angel Canino delivered 15 of her 20 points in the first three sets, while Malaluan finished with 12 markers. Sharma added seven points, including four aces.
Adamson leaned on Cruz, Antonette Adolfo, and Kate Santiago only to fall short in the fifth set.
Santiago finished with 15 points. Cruz had 12 markers, as Cruz and Lorene Toring added 11 each as the Lady Falcons will face University of Santo Tomas in the battle for third.
Meanwhile, Lyann De Guzman and Gena Hora stepped up for depleted Ateneo to beat University of Perpetual Help, 25-23, 18-25, 25-18, 25-22, and advance to the battle for fifth place against University of the Philippines.
Despite missing coach Oliver Almadro, Faith Nisperos, and Vanie Gandler, De Guzman led the Blue Eagles with 18 points off 12 kills, four blocks, and two aces. Hora had 14 points, while Joan Narit added 10 markers.
The Lady Atlas banked on the 15-point effort of Shaila Omipon, as Winnie Bedana and Janine Padua had 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Perpetual Help tries to avoid an eighth-place finish against Far Eastern University.