FROM the start of the season Adamson University coach Air Padda has been waiting for her wards to show their fighting spirit.
But on Saturday, when Adamson went up against treble-seeking La Salle, she finally saw what she wanted as the Lady Falcons pulled off an epic upset over the Lady Spikers, 25-18, 15-25, 25-19, 25-22.in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament.
The outspoken American mentor shared their inspiration - the ‘Wakanda Forever’ salute from the movie Black Panther.
“I explained to them before about the Wakanda tribe and how there’s nothing but badass women protecting the king. You notice that all of their bodyguards are women,” said Padda, who even posted on her social media account claiming she's from Wakanda.
“The women protecting the king, they’re so badass. I mean they’re just empowering so I just told them to embrace that, embody that so that I can use it,” she added.
Eli Soyud was the only one among the players who saw the movie but she became the right person to have seen it.
Soyud was a former La Salle opposite spiker, who suited up in Seasons 77 and 78, led the way for Adamson with a game-high 18 points, from 13 kills, three blocks and two service aces.
“She had a rough start and now a lot of people want to underestimate her but then I never underestimated her. I know what Eli is capable of, she’s capable of a lot and man I’m so proud of her,” said Padda.
It was a more special win for the Lady Falcons, who last defeated the Lady Spikers in second round of Season 70.
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