Defending champions National University dashed the unbeaten streak of Far Eastern University with a hard-fought 25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22 victory in a knockout match, securing the final spot in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship on Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon stepped up in the fourth set, with veterans Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug contributing to NU’s offense to bring the Lady Bulldogs closer to a potential three-peat.
NU staved off a late comeback attempt from the Lady Tamaraws in the fourth frame, setting up a best-of-three championship rematch against the undefeated De La Salle University.
The tournament is supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea, and Summit Water.
Game 1 of the finals, a repeat of the inaugural season’s championship showdown two years ago, is set for November 22.
Solomon delivered 11 of her game-high 17 points in the fourth set, including three of NU’s last four points.
“Gusto ko lang ibawi ang sarili ko and i-redeem ang sarili ko kasi parang slow start ako,” said Solomon, who had tallied only six points in her first two sets.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
Solomon led the charge with 13 kills and four kill blocks, while Belen and Alinsug each contributed 15 points. Both players registered 13 attacks, one ace, and one kill block, halting FEU’s seven-game winning streak.
The Lady Bulldogs mounted a pivotal 5-1 run in the fourth set to turn a two-point deficit into a 16-14 lead. Solomon later extended NU’s lead to 23-20 with back-to-back kills.
Alinsug brought NU to match point, 24-21, with a powerful spike that pierced FEU’s double block. Jean Asis managed to save a point for FEU before Solomon sealed the two-hour, three-minute match with a decisive kill.
Gerzel Petallo was the only FEU player in double digits, recording 12 points from 10 spikes, one block, and one ace. Asis added eight points, while Faida Bakanke and Clarisse Loresco each contributed six points.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
FEU will vie for a bronze medal against the University of Santo Tomas in a one-game battle for third place in the SSL’s main event, with support from Smart Sports, PLDT Fibr, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and SM Tickets.
In other action, Ateneo de Manila University defeated the University of the East, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22, in the first round of the classification stage.
The Blue Eagles are set to face NCAA champions College of Saint Benilde in the battle for fifth place on November 16.
Ateneo’s Zel Tsunashima and Lyann De Guzman led with 11 and 10 points, respectively, while UE’s Casiey Dongallo topped her team with 10 points.
The Lady Warriors will take on the University of the Philippines in the battle for seventh place.
SSL games are broadcast live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas, SMART Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable, and Channel 59 on Cable Link.
