De La Salle and Far Eastern University secured contrasting victories on Wednesday to enter the knockout stage of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Pre-season Championship with unbeaten records.
The Lady Spikers cruised past sister school Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-13, 25-23, 25-16, while the Lady Tamaraws had to grind out a hard-fought five-set win over the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-13, 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 15-13, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
With these wins, La Salle and FEU not only topped Pools E and F, respectively, but will also enter the quarterfinals with twice-to-beat advantages.
Joining them with playoff incentives are the NU Lady Bulldogs and UST Golden Tigresses.
NU claimed its spot earlier in the day with a decisive 25-14, 25-20, 25-17 victory over the UE Lady Warriors.
Shevana Laput and Katrina Del Castillo led La Salle’s balanced attack in their 76-minute match against the defending NCAA champions, scoring 10 points each.
Laput contributed seven attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Del Castillo posted four blocks and six attacks.
Angel Canino chipped in nine points, as every Lady Spiker, except the liberos, scored at least once under the guidance of head coach Ramil de Jesus.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
For the Lady Tamaraws, Faida Bakanke led with 16 points, including four in the final set, while Jazlyn Ellarina added 13 markers highlighted by 12 attacks.
Petallo and Tagaod contributed 12 and five points, respectively, in the thrilling win over UP.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
The Lady Bulldogs’ Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen each tallied 11 points, with Solomon contributing nine kills, a block, and an ace.
Belen added five attacks, five aces, and a block as NU overwhelmed UE with 41 attack points and nine service aces.
Vange Alinsug scored eight of her 10 points in the third set, sealing the match with back-to-back kills.
For UP, Kianne Olango led with 15 points, Irah Jaboneta added 13, Kassandra Doering had 11, and Yesha Noceja scored 10.
On the UE side, KC Cepada scored nine points, Jelai Gajero added four, and Casiey Dongallo was limited to just one point after playing only in the third set, as the Lady Warriors closed the second round with a 1-2 record.
In the crossover quarterfinals which is supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R&B Milk Tea, and Summit Water, La Salle will face Ateneo, UST will take on UE, FEU will meet Benilde, and NU will battle UP.
