Adamson Lady Falcons in the SSL National Invitationals. –SSL PHoTO
MANILA, Philippines—What was expected to be a down-the-wire affair in the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals semifinals turned out to be a lopsided victory for Adamson as it moved on to the tournament’s final phase.
The Lady Falcons handily swept Perpetual Help, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16, at San Juan Arena on Friday and will face the winner of the La-Salle UST match in what’s going to be an all-UAAP final.
Adamson coach JP Yude had simple instructions for his wards, which was to shut down the Lady Altas attackers.
“For us, our mindset is to shut down all their hitters. They’re the ones who brought Perps to the win in the last game and we know their confidence is up after that win against St. Benilde,” said Yude in Filipino.
“Actually, we played against them (Perps) before the SSL. We lost in the fifth set then so for the kids, it was better to face them because somehow they got redemption.”
Defense was key for the Lady Falcons in the victory, including their tactics on Mary Rhose Dapol, who exploded for 33 points on Wednesday in the quarterfinals against St. Benilde. She only had nine today.
Perpetual Help’s Mary Rhose Dapol against Adamson defenders. –SSL PHOTO
The Lady Falcons buried the Lady Altas and they only needed an hour and 16 minutes to do it.
Adamson as a squad also showcased its defense with eight blocks as Yude’s team also forced Perpetual Help to nine team errors.
Ayesha Huegos exploded for 29 points en route to the Adamson victory while Rochell Lalongisip chipped in 21 markers. Lucille Almonte helped the cause with 15 of her own for the Lady Falcons.
Shaila Omipon picked up the slack for Dapol’s subpar outing with 17 points for Perpetual but to no avail. Razel Aldea and Charmaine Ocado also registered 16 and 14, respectively, in the losing effort.