La Salle veterans: Rookie Shane Reterta a 'game-changer'
At A Glance
- Visibly struggling to penetrate Adamson's defense in a crucial match last Wednesday, April 23, De La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus had one bright idea in mind: insert rookie Shane Reterta and give the Lady Spikers a third option in offense.
Visibly struggling to penetrate Adamson's defense in a crucial match last Wednesday, April 23, De La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus had one bright idea in mind: insert rookie Shane Reterta and give the Lady Spikers a third option in offense.
Reterta answered the call and delivered in an emphatic way.
Trailing in the match against a red-hot Shai Nitura and a determined Adamson side, Reterta provided support that DLSU badly needed, scoring a 25-19, 21-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-4 victory at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Angel Canino and Shevana Laput called the rookie a "game-changer" and a “breath of fresh air.”
“Breath of fresh air, really, like when she came in we just knew that she’s got our back,” said Laput. “And this generation coming about, Shane is one of those players who are coming in from this new generation.”
“It’s just showing that whether you’re a rookie, same with Shaina (Nitura), or you’re an ate, everyone can step up and anyone can be a game-changer” Laput added.
Canino heaped praises on Reterta who braved the immense pressure by delivering timely hits which gave La Salle ample boost to overcome Nitura’s splendid showing for Adamson.
“Siyempre sobrang thankful din, kasi kahit senior, isa kami sa mga leaders sa loob, nakita korin kay Shane ‘yong tapang sa loob, wala akong nakitang takot, pagpasok niya ngiti lang sya,” said Canino.
“Kapag nagra-rattle na kami we have to remind ourselves na ngumiti lang at gumalaw, at si Shane ‘yong nagbigay samin ng crucial points and nakita namin na gusto nyang dalhin ‘tong team sa panalo, which is nagawa niya,” she added.
Reterta, a product of Bethel Academy and a native of Gen. Trias, Cavite, sparked La Salle after listing nine points off seven attacks, on block and one ace with three excellent digs.
“Kailangan ko po muna i-handle ‘yong pressure sa sarili ko, and then hangga’t makakaya ko po, at hangga't ano po mailalabas ko para sa team gagawin ko,” said Reterta.
Those efforts, though, outshone another explosive performance from super rookie Nitura, who had 35 points, her sixth 30-point game this season.
La Salle's escape over Adamson improved its record to 9-4 – tied with University of Santo Tomas – and needs one more win against FEU this weekend to strengthen its bid for the twice-to-beat advantage.