Daily Tribune
De La Salle University will have its hands full against fellow unbeaten Adamson University in the finals. | Photograph courtesy of SSL
De La Salle University knows not to take the rebuilding Adamson University lightly.
Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo admitted that the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions would need to do a lot of adjustments facing a revamped squad playing under a new system.
He expects the Lady Falcons to brew a surprise as the two squads face off in the 2023 Shakey's Super League National Invitationals best-of-three finals starting Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
"Actually, Adamson has a lot of new faces and skilled players so we're taking on an unfamiliar team," Orcullo said.
The unbeaten Lady Spikers have allotted most of their time during the long break to review and study the strengths and tendencies of the Lady Falcons ahead of the series opener.
"It's important that by Wednesday we already know the tendencies of (Adamson) players," he added.
La Salle barely made it to the championship round as it needed a long extended fifth set to turn back the feisty University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 26-24, 26-24, last Friday.
Just like the Lady Spikers, the JP Yude-mentored Lady Falcons remain unbeaten after four outings.
Adamson displayed great character and a promising future despite a shocking exodus of players following the exit of head coach Jerry Yee after a bronze medal finish in UAAP Season 85.
The Lady Falcons swept past University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16, last Friday in the knockout Final Four to secure a finals berth in their first tournament since Yude took over the coaching reins just barely two months ago.
Holdovers Lucille Almonte, Ayesha Juegos, Lorene Toring, Rochelle Lalongisip and newcomer Red Bascon are consistently playing in fine form throughout the tournament.
Their superb showing under Yude's system keeps Adamson a competitive team despite key players Kate Santiago, Trisha Tubu, libero Cae Lazo and Ckyle Tagsip opting to forgo their eligibility years to turn pro and ace setter Louie Romero leaving the team.
The reason why Orcullo thinks quick in-game adjustments will be the key to La Salle winning the crown.
"We have to quickly adjust to what Adamson will give us. Again, we have to be ready against an unfamiliar team," he said.
Game 2 of the finals is on Saturday while Game 3, if necessary, is on Sunday.
