Games Sunday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
1 p.m. — UST vs FEU (bronze medal match)
5 p.m. — NU vs La Salle (Finals Game 2)
Defending champion National University goes for the jugular to extend its reign to a third straight season against a De La Salle University side fighting for survival in Game 2 of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship finals Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Beaming with confidence after a dominating sweep of the erstwhile unbeaten Lady Spikers in Game 1, the Lady Bulldogs are laser-focused on closing out the best-of-three series at 5 p.m.
NU showed composure in the challenging third set to turn back its second round tormentor, 25-16, 25-12, 27-25, last Friday to inch closer to completing a grand slam following its conquest of the National Invitationals in the league supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea, Grab Philippines, and Summit Water.
Reigning Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon led the way backed by solid support from seasoned wingers Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug in halting La Salle’s eight-game romp.
However, the job is far from being done for the Lady Bulldogs as they brace for tougher resistance from the Lady Spikers, who are out to drag the series to a winner-take-all Game 3.
“Siyempre excited kasi makakaharap ulit namin sila and siyempre babawi talaga ‘yan. Hindi sila papayag na matalo na lang. Magri-ready kami for them na magiging better pa kami sa ipinakita namin today (Game 1),” said Solomon, who scored seven of her game-high 14 points in the extended third set.
La Salle, installed as a heavy favorite to challenge NU’s domination in its return after taking a leave of absence last year, gave the Lady Bulldogs a scare late in the third set as it rallied from a seven-point deficit to eventually move at set point, 24-23.
NU regained control to foil La Salle’s comeback attempt in the first game of the finals rematch of the same protagonists who figured in the inaugural edition’s one-game championship two years ago.
Knowing very well the championship pedigree of the Lady Spikers, who ruled the 2023 National Invitationals, the Lady Bulldogs vow not to lower their guard to hand new mentor Sherwin Meneses his first title with the squad.
“Siyempre I’m very excited kung ano pa yung kayang ipakita ng team namin sa Sunday and tingin ko kaya pa naming higitan yung nilaro namin today kasi yung capabilities ng team mataas e,” Belen said.
“Hindi pa nag-stop sa kung anong meron kami ‘yung hunger namin na matuto kay coach Sherwin, ‘yung mga nadadala niya sa team namin paunti-unti namin ina-adopt and ina-apply sa training at sa game.”
With its back against the wall, La Salle will pull out all the stops to stall NU’s ascend to the throne and force a rubber match on December 1.
The Lady Spikers must rediscover the same fire and desire that brought them success in the past and flaunt their signature energy and swag, which were missing in Game 1.
Laput and grizzled veteran Angel Canino will need more contributions from other seasoned players Amie Provido, Alleiah Malaluan and Jyne Soreno to stay alive.
Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University tangle at 1 p.m. for a podium finish in the one-game battle for third.
SSL games are aired live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas, SMART Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable and Channel 59 on Cable Link.
