De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas secured their spots in the next round of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Pre-season Championship, while National University moved to the brink of clinching its place on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers and the Golden Tigresses each needed four sets to claim victory, with La Salle defeating the Letran Lady Knights (25-7, 25-21, 22-25, 25-15) and UST overcoming the Perpetual Help Lady Altas (25-17, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19), topping their respective pools in the process.
La Salle improved to 2-0 in the four-team Pool C, while UST joined University of the East in advancing from Pool B.
UAAP Season 85 MVP Angel Canino led La Salle’s balanced attack with 15 points, coming from 11 attacks, 2 aces, and 2 blocks, while Katrina Del Castillo added nine points.
Amie Provido and Bethel Academy standout Mary Shane Reterta each chipped in eight points as La Salle dominated Letran at the net, boasting a 14-5 blocking advantage.
Meanwhile, UAAP Season 86 Rookie of the Year Angge Poyos also posted 15 points for UST, with Regina Jurado contributing 13.
Jonna Perdido and Bianca Plaza added nine and seven points, respectively, as the Golden Tigresses overwhelmed the Lady Altas with 55 attacks.
Earlier in the day, the Lady Bulldogs easily handled the EAC Lady Generals, 25-15, 25-7, 25-13, to secure their second win in Pool A of this tournament supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R&B Milk Tea, and Summit Water.
Arah Panique led the charge for NU with 10 points, including eight attacks, while Bella Belen and reigning tournament MVP Alyssa Solomon each contributed seven markers.
“Ang challenge ngayon is marami pa kaming errors, siguro work on sa mga kulang pa namin and kailangan pang i-improve,” said Panique, as they prepare to face San Beda on Sunday.
NU dominated the stat sheets, racking up 41 kills compared to EAC’s 11, tallying 10 kill blocks, and exploiting EAC’s weak reception to land 10 aces.
Panique capped the win with back-to-back service aces.
The Lady Knights, who finished their campaign with a 1-2 record, were led by Gia Maquilang with 17 points.
Cyrill Alemiana paced the 0-2 Lady Altas with 15 points, while no Lady General reached double figures against the dominant Lady Bulldogs.