Adamson Lady Falcons’ Red Bascon. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER. net
MANILA, Philippines — Red Bascon was eager to contribute when it mattered most for Adamson in their come-from-behind Game 1 win over the UAAP champion La Salle in Game 1 of the Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals finals on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The substitute spiker drilled the most important points to carry the Lady Falcons to a 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14 win to get a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Bascon, a rookie out of Adamson high school, joined hands with team captain Lucille Almonte to fight back from an 11-20 deficit in the fourth set, capping their blistering run with her clutch attacks to force a decider.
“I was just very determined to get this game and help the team. When I was inserted into the game in the fourth set, I was really eager to help,” said Bascon, who only started in the fifth.
When the fifth set was tied at 14, Bascon drilled an off-the-block hit, which the La Salle side didn’t agree with, to put the Lady Falcons at match point anew, 15-14.
Adamson’s Red Bascon during the Shakey’s Super League Finals against La Salle. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Amid the boos of the crowd to the officials, the incoming first-year spiker remained composed and nailed a cold-blooded kill to put Adamson a win closer to the National Invitationals supremacy.
“I struggled a bit in the fifth set but I told myself that I’ll make up for it when I get to the front row. That’s what I was so eager to get a kill,” Bascon said.
Adamson rookie coach JP Yude, who is also Bascon’s high school mentor, knew that his player would deliver, being proud of the maturity shown by the young spiker.
“I know her. She was my player in highschool and she wasn’t this aggresive yet. But I encouraged her to just keep on hitting the ball,” said Yude. “I guess she saw how her teammates play so she got confidence to play like that.”
After her heroics in Game 1, Bascon stays hungry when Adamson tries to sweep La Salle in Game 2 on Saturday at 4 p.m.
“Our coaches always tell us to just be patience, believe in our capabilities, and fight until the end,” she said.