De La Salle University learned the hard way what is missing in its game following the departure of most of its veterans: its killer instinct.
The Lady Spikers looked poised to pocket Game 1 after building a nine-point gap in the fourth set of their best-of-three Shakey's Super League National Invitationals finals against rebuilding Adamson University.
But La Salle let what was supposed to be a sure victory slip out of its hands.
Now the reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions are fighting for dear life, hoping to win the rematch on Saturday to extend the series to a deciding Game 3 set the following day.
All because the current Lady Spikers roster fielded in the inaugural staging of the tournament featuring 12 of the country's top collegiate squads seemed to have lost an important aspect that has brought success to the storied squad.
"Obviously, the winner's mindset, a positive mindset. There is no doubt that I know we can do this but it is putting in the work and the effort," sophomore winger Shevana Laput said.
Laput unleashed a personal-best 30 points but all her efforts went down the drain after La Salle absorbed its first loss in the competition – a stinging 25-22, 17-25, 25-27, 25-27, 14-16, defeat last Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The 6-foot-3 hitter was all over the stats sheet on offense, hitting 22 kills, four kill blocks and four aces. However, the Lady Falcons – a team that only has a few holdovers left after a sudden shakeup in its roster and under a new head coach in JP Yude – spoiled everything.
"I mean I gave my all. Everybody gave their all but there's always room for improvement for all of us. It's a lesson to work harder and play smarter," Laput added.
The Lady Spikers looked lost during the match without a vocal leader inside as they opted not to include UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Angel Canino for the tournament.
La Salle opened a 20-11 lead in the fourth set while holding a 2-1 match lead. But what was supposed to be an insurmountable advantage easily evaporated as the Lady Spikers failed to throw the finishing kick.
The fifth set was a back-and-forth battle with a somewhat controversial ending.
Adamson rookie Red Bascon put her team at match point on a checked ball. La Salle contested the call but the first referee stood by its decision.
Frustrated and in disarray, the Lady Spikers were unable to stop Bascon from punching in the game-winning kill.
Despite having its back against the wall, La Salle remains optimistic about its chances of winning the crown after a runner-up finish last year in the SSL Collegiate Preseason Championship won by National University.