LA SALLE's post-game silence was as deafening as can be following a pivotal elimination round finale loss to its Final Four foe University of Sto. Tomas.
The four-set defeat dropped the defending champions to third seeds and, with its title-retention bid on the line, will face the only team it has yet to beat this season with a twice-to-win disadvantage.
WATCH:
At 11:31 p.m. on Saturday evening as the curtains dropped on 56 high-octane preliminary round matches, the Lady Spikers walked in silence through the hallowed halls of the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Not a single word was said by any player, coach or staff member as they passed by a bunched-up pack of reporters.
READ: Angge Poyos eager to redeem UST 'ates' from S85 semis heartbreak vs La Salle
Such a team move to skip post-match press conferences and ambush interviews didn't come as a surprise by any means as the Lady Spikers have declined speaking to the media in all three of their defeats this season.
However, a La Salle staff member approached reporters minutes before leaving the venue that no one from the team will entertain any questions in what has been a two-hour dugout stay and Ramil de Jesus-led post-game pep talk since the match ended at 9:26 p.m.
Reading between the lines
La Salle's silence may have been prompted by a handful of possible reasons — from simply refusing to unpack the lingering pain of defeat to the media, avoiding any unwanted distractions for the players or saving their energy for a louder response on the volleyball taraflex when the Final Four kicks off in less than a week's time.
But entering a rare do-or-die match, one that will coincidentally take place on the same date and venue five years since La Salle relinquished the crown in a crushing Final Four heartbreak to twice-to-beat UST, there remains an all-important positive to take in for the defending champions: the return of their 'Angel' just in time for the postseason.
Back with the Lady Spikers after five games missed with an arm injury is reigning league MVP Angel Canino.
In her long-awaited on-court comeback, Canino delivered instant impact off the bench with seven of her 13 points in the opening set but lost steam midway through as she first aimed to regain her form and footing more than anything ahead of the semifinals.
From a roaring sea of yellow and green shirts, a title-hungry charge from UST and championship-caliber fightback from La Salle, expect nothing less than playoff atmosphere at its finest and loudest when the two storied teams meet in the Final Four on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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