La Salle Lady Spikers. SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — La Salle assistant Noel Orcullo expects the other Lady Spikers to step up as UAAP rookie-MVP Angel Canino takes her time to rest in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals.
That’s exactly what happened as La Salle, minus Canino and libero Justine Jazareno, still dominated NCAA squad University of Perpetual Help, 25-11, 25-17, 25-12, in Pool A on Saturday at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Thea Gagate and new starting middle blocker Amie Provido led the charge for the Lady Spikers with 12 points each as team captain and setter Julia Coronel orchestrated the plays in their first game without graduates Jolina Dela Cruz and Mars Alba as well as Fifi Sharma, who surprisingly turned pro with the Akari Chargers in the Premier Volleyball League.
“Kahit wala si Angel, sabi nga namin wag tayo maghanap. Kung sino nandito basta gawin natin kung ano yung ginagawa natin sa training, yung game plan, yung laro natin,” said Orcullo, who called the shots for La Salle as head coach Ramil De Jesus observed behind the team’s bench.
“Hangga’t maaari wag tayo maghanap ng hindi nakalineup, kung sino andyan maglaro kayo. Kapag ginamit kayo, panindigan nyo kung ano man yung ibibigay sainyong role.”
(Even without Angel, let’s not look for others who are not here. Let’s execute the things we do in training and our game plan. Whoever gets a chance to play should embrace her role.)
Alleiah Malaluan also stepped up with 11 points. Shevana Laput chipped in 10 markers, as rookie middle blocker Katrina Del Castillo made the most of her chance in the third with four points that led to their winning start of the 12-team tournament, which features the top 3 from UAAP and NCAA and other squads from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“Tinitignan namin dito yung mga hindi naline up last season, kung pwede na sa UAAP. Hopefully, magperform sila,” said Orcullo as they start their build-up for next season after ruling Season 85 with a series sweep of National University
(We will look at the players who weren’t part of our team last season. We will see if they can compete in the UAAP. Hopefully, they will perform.)
“We have three setters. We will see who fits best in our system. At the same time, we have new middle blockers with Katrina Del Castillo from senior high and this could be a break for Provido. She’s playing with high confidence since she will have more playing time. Malaluan is cleared. Since Angel is not here, [we’re expecting her to step up,]” he added in Filipino.
La Salle seeks to sweep Pool A against Cebu’s University of Southern Philippines Foundation on Tuesday to qualify to the knockout quarterfinals.
“All the teams prepared for this league. We have to respect all of our opponents,” Orcullo said.
Perpetual Help is in a must-win situation after losing its first match in Pool A with nobody scoring in double figures as NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol was limited to just eight points.