EMOTIONS ran high at the conclusion of La Salle's stunning five-set defeat to Adamson in Game 1 of the Shakey's Super League National Invitationals championship series.
READ: Adamson survives La Salle to move on cusp of SSL National Invitationals title
With the score tied at 14-all in the fifth-set tiebreak, Adamson's Red Bascon fired an attack that sailed outside. But the point, however, was still awarded to the Lady Falcons as referee Spinx Cabusa ruled that Shevana Laput touched the ball from the back row before it landed on the floor.
The entire La Salle squad, including Laput, adamantly insisted that there was no contact made in the crucial play — leading to a yellow card issued on Lady Spiker Maicah Larroza before another Bascon kill closed out the match.
The crowd at the FilOil EcoOil Centre got heavily involved in the latter stages of the match, with fans trading jeers and boos during the contentious fifth-set sequence.
Among those left dismayed by the late series of events is Magnolia Hotshots' James Laput, Shevana's 26-year old older brother, who was also in attendance.
In a now-deleted tweet, the PBA cager lashed out on a 'bald' person — alluding to the match referee for the pivotal call involving her sister.
Laput was quick to retract his tweet and subsequently issued an apology for his 'harsh reaction' and 'unprofessional' words in the heat of the moment.
"Apologies to Shevana Laput and my family for putting you under fire. To the Twitterverse and any who were offended. Harsh reaction of mine to the referee of a volleyball game. Unprofessional and that’s on me," Laput said.
Despite the loss, Shevana had herself a career-best game in a La Salle jersey with 30 markers on 22 attacks, four blocks, and four aces.
Laput & Co. will look to force a do-or-die match against Adamson in Game 2 of the SSL finals on Saturday, 4 p.m. at the FilOil Ecooil Centre.
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