Adamson Lady Falcons during the Shakey’s Super League Finals against the La Salle Lady Spikers. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Despite failing to close out the finals series, new Adamson coach JP Yude believes it was still a good run for the rebuilding Lady Falcons in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.
Adamson squandered a big win in Game 1 as it fell to La Salle in back-to-back days capped by a 19-25, 22-25, 17-25 loss in the rubber match on Sunday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
For coach Yude, a runner-up finish wasn’t bad for a team that recently lost its core in the previous UAAP season bannered by Louie Romero, Trisha Tubu, Kate Santiago, and three others after former coach Jerry Yee was removed from his post.
“We’re grateful and thankful to the Lord because we reached the championship. It was a great experience for us, especially we are rebuilding,” said the youthful Yude in Filipino. “We still gave La Salle a good fight but we still lack a lot of things. We saw that our preparation for this tournament wasn’t enough.”
The Lady Falcons stunned the UAAP champions with a come-from-behind 22-25, 25-17, 17-25, 27-25, 16-14 win in the opener last Wednesday behind the heroics of Lucille Almonte and Red Bascon but they couldn’t get the job done, getting swept in straight sets twice this weekend.
Adamson coach JP Yude. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Their series collapse only shows that the young Adamson squad needs to learn more.
“We still have a lot of lapses and we need to continue developing the players,” Yude said. “It was a good run for me and I’m satisfied and proud of their performance because this is unexpected despite only training for one month. It’s all by the grace of God that helped us to reach this far.”
Adamson’s new main playmaker Angelica Alcantara shone the brightest as the league’s Best Setter and also the runner-up to MVP Shevana Laput, while Almonte also showed that she can be a good leader to her young team.
After a good run in the National Invitationals, Yude wants his wards to continue enjoying and trusting the process as they compete in the next SSL conference, the 2nd Preseason Collegiate Championship later this year.
“I keep on telling them to just enjoy the process and then Lord will do the rest,” he said.