When the De La Salle University Lady Spikers were down two sets to one, the coaching staff inserted rookie outside hitter Shane Reterta to replace Alleiah Malaluan. Luckily, their gamble paid off and Reterte became instrumental in the team’s 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-4 victory against the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Wednesday, April 23.
In the fifth set alone, Reterta scored four of her nine points to keep their twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four hope alive.
After the match, Lady Spikers head coach Angel Canino sang praises for the rookie Reterta as she showed heart in their victory. She said, “Sobrang thankful din kasi kahit senior kami or kahit isa kami sa mga leaders sa loob, nakita ko rin talaga kay Shane ‘yung tapang sa loob ng court. Wala akong nakitang takot pagpasok niya. Pagpasok niya, ngiti lang siya, which is sometimes ‘yun din ‘yung lacking sa amin na kapag nara-rattle na kami, we have to remind ourselves na ngumiti lang and gumalaw.”
“Si Shane nagbigay sa amin noon, especially ‘yung crucial points. Nakita rin namin na gusto niya dalhin ‘yung team sa panalo, which nagawa niya rin.”
Reterta had seven attack points, a block, and an ace alongside three excellent digs and three excellent receptions.
For Shevana Laput, Reterta was a “breath of fresh air” and the game changer. She said, “It’s a breath of fresh air, really. When she came in, we just knew that she’s got our back. And this generation that’s coming, Shane is one of those people that are coming into this new generation. They are just showing that whether you are a rookie, whether you are an Ate, everyone can step up and everyone can be a game changer in this game.”
At the end, Reterta promised that she would give everything she had for the team that wants to reclaim the crown.
She ended, “Masasabi ko na parang ‘yung team talaga namin ay hindi talaga basta-basta bibigay. Kilala ko ‘yung mga Ates na lalaban talaga hanggang dulo – kahit ano ‘yung score at kahit ano mangyari sa amin. Kailangan ko muna i-handle ‘yung pressure sa sarili ko. Hangga’t makakaya ko, hangga’t kung ano mailalabas ko para sa team, gagawin ko.”
The De La Salle University will end their elimination round against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, April 26, at 3 pm.
