National University fended off the University of Santo Tomas in Game 2,25-17, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20, clinching its second consecutive title sweep in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
Despite the robust resistance from the Golden Tigresses, the Lady Bulldogs persevered and secured their 18th win in a row, adding to their flawless streak from the inaugural season and establishing a dynasty in the SSL with consecutive perfect championship runs.
Mhicaela Belen, the First Best Outside Hitter, delivered a pivotal performance with 17 points, all on attacks, including seven of NU’s last 10 points to orchestrate a comeback in the fourth set.
Evangeline Alinsug contributed 15 points, while Alyssa Solomon, the back-to-back SSL Season MVP and Best Opposite Spiker, amassed 14 points with 10 hits, three blocks, and an ace.
The steady offense was quarterbacked by Best Setter Camilla Lamina, with First Best Middle Blocker and team captain Erin May Pangilinan anchoring the Lady Bulldogs’ defensive stand in the 2-0 finale sweep of SSL Season 2, supported by sponsors such as Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports, and United Auctioneers, Inc.
Other awardees included Angeline Poyos (Second Best Outside Hitter) and Maria Bernadett Pepito (Best Libero) of UST, as well as Lorene Toring (Second Best Middle Blocker) of Adamson.
Norman Miguel, a champion coach in his NU return, acknowledged UST’s impressive performance, stating, “Sa totoo lang, nakakabilib ‘yung UST. For two consecutive days, maganda nilaro nila. Kami pa ‘yung lumalabas na unprepared sa nilalaro nila. Siguro, nandoon lang ‘yung konting maturity namin to survive the game.”
He emphasized the high level of character within each player, noting that they had been champions since high school and in the UAAP women’s division, attributing their character as the driving force behind their SSL success.
NU faced a challenging moment when it split the first two sets with UST and was on the verge of its first set deficit with a 6-9 score in the third frame.
However, Solomon showcased her MVP form with clutch hits, leading to a 25-20 victory. Despite the Golden Tigresses’ resurgence behind Xyza Gula, the Lady Bulldogs trailed 13-16 once again, setting the stage for their potential first five-setter match this season.
In a timely eruption, Belen, the former UAAP Rookie-MVP, took charge, lifting the Lady Bulldogs to a gritty win.
Overall, NU dropped only two sets in an impressive 10-game season, replicating a similar feat from the inaugural tournament where they yielded only two sets in an eight-game campaign.
Gula led UST with 18 points, while Poyos and Regina Jurado contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively, in their runner-up finish, an improvement from their fourth-place finish last season.
In the earlier match, Far Eastern University completed a sweep of Adamson with a feisty 25-18, 16-25, 25-15, 21-25, 15-7 win in Game 2, securing the bronze medal of SSL Season 2 in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.
The Lady Tamaraws, led by super rookie Faida Bakanke, Gerzel Petallo, and Chenie Tagaod with 16, 15, and 12 points, respectively, replicated their success in earning a gutsy five-setter win.
