DE La Salle-Dasmariñas won’t be walking out winless in the inaugural Philippine Superliga Collegiate Grand Slam as it took down Colegio San Agustin-Biñan, 25-23, 25-18, 21-25, 25-16, to end its precious stint on a high note on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The trio of Eunice Castillo, Rain Ramos and Basilyn Delfin powered the Lady Patriots to end a four-game skid by beating a fellow south Manila-based team in the Eagles in an hour and 51 minutes.
Team captain Castillo showed the way for La Salle-Dasma with 16 points off seven kills, six service aces and three blocks, while Ramos and Delfin delivered 14 hits each.
Playmaker Myell Joy Pasco was also instrumental dishing out 14 excellent sets, while libero Pearl Pena protected the floor with 17 digs and 14 excellent receptions.
“Siyempre na-conscious, parang na-starstruck sila sa laro. So ayun, hindi kami nanalo sa mga malalakas na team sa UAAP,” De La Salle-Dasma head coach Joven Racelis said. “Sabi ko sa CSA, sana mailabas na nila, kasi kumbaga sa level sa south, kalevel lang namin sila sa mga liga. So, ayun, ngayon ko nakita yung inensayo namin.“
Both DLSU-D and CSA finished with identical 1-4 win-loss records but gained a rare experience playing in a prestigious club league capped by a showdown at the MOA Arena.
“Pag sinabi kasing PSL, iba. Sabi ko sa kanila, kumuha lang tayo ng experience. Matalo, manalo, panalo na tayo kasi nakaranas tayo mag-PSL,” Racelis said. “Kumbaga, kung sa ngayon ay isa lang ang pinanalo namin, siguro kung next year mare-retain pa kami dito, siguro lalaban na kami.”
The Eagles leaned on Aliah Marce and Lency Duarte delivering 14 and 13 points, respectively, with CSA-Biñan making a huge upset over UAAP team FEU Lady Tamaraws as their only victory in the tourney.