La Salle, Adamson overpower foes in Super League

La Salle’s Thea Gagate. SSL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — UAAP squads La Salle and Adamson jumpstarted their respective campaigns on a high note but the regional teams also shone in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals opener on Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

Reigning UAAP champion and SSL inaugural Collegiate Pre-Season titlist La Salle, sans MVP Angel Canino, overpowered NCAA squad University of Perpetual Help, 25-11, 25-17, 25-12, to earn its first Pool A win.

New captain and setter Julia Coronel paced the Lady Spikers’ offense as four of her teammates scored in double figures with Thea Gagate and Amie Provido leading the way with 12 points each, as Alleiah Malaluan and Shevana Laput chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Adamson coach JP Yude got a winning debut as the Lady Falcons coach after sweeping Jose Maria College Foundation Inc., 25-17, 25-11, 25-17, in Pool C.

The Lady Falcons, who underwent a rebuild after losing Louie Romero, Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, Rizza Cruz, and two other players, ushered in a new era as rookie Red Bascon led the way with 11 points built on eight attacks and three blocks.

Besides the Adamson high school product, Rochelle Lalongisip and Sharya Nicole Ancheta also stepped up with nine points each, while new skipper Lucille Almonte only played in the first two sets and finished with seven points with Angelica Alcantara setting the plays.

 “It’s a great start sa mga bata. Nakakuha sila ng kumpyansa na preparations namin for our next game. Marami pa kaming trabaho. We’ll work on it. We need to start strong and finish strong,” said Yude, who replaced former mentor Jerry Yee. 

No one from the Royals scored in double figures with Dianne Uriel Brion scoring eight points as they seek to bounce back against NCAA runner-up Lyceum on Sunday at 9 a.m.

Meanwhile, the regional teams also had a rousing start in the national tournament as Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAF) champion University of San Jose Recoletos dominated La Salle-Dasma, 25-20, 25-18, 25-18, for an early Pool B lead.

Louneth Abangan had 16 points off 14 attacks and two aces as the Lady Jaguars took down the Cavite-based school in just an hour and 22 minutes ahead of their pivotal duel against UAAP team University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at 4 p.m.

“It’s a great opportunity for us. I told the players that before you are just watching this league on television. Now, we’re playing here. We just have to stay focused and play our game,” said USJR coach Roldan Potot. 

Shaira Pamero was La Salle-Dasma’s leading scorer with five points.

Luzon qualifier Enderun Colleges was also triumphant in its first Pool D game after Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), 27-25, 25-22, 25-14.

Althea Virnyce Botor and Erika Jin Deloria led the Lady Titans with 17 and 16 points, respectively as they swept the school from General Santos City in 83 minutes.

“We played tight to start the game because this is the first time we played in this kind of atmosphere. Slow start but luckily, we won. The girls played their hearts out when it mattered most ” said Enderun coach Dong Dela Cruz, who is a long-time assistant of NU Bulldogs tactician Dante Alinsunurin.

NDDU leaned on Andrea Sendico’s 10-point effort ahead of their duel against NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde also on Sunday at 2 p.m.