REIGNING champion National U and Far Eastern U lived up to expectations by making short work of their foes yesterday to book Final Four tickets in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Armed with win-once bonuses, the Lady Bulldogs, who swept Pool E, extended their unbeaten campaign with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 win over the UE Lady Warriors while the Lady Tamaraws, who topped Pool F, took down the Ateneo Blue Eagles anew, 25-19, 25-18, 25-18.
NU will face the winner between Adamson and Arellano while FEU takes on either NCAA champion College of St. Benilde or University of Santo Tomas in the knockout semifinals of the SSL backed by 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.
St. Benilde stunned twice-to-beat armed University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 23-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-11, to force a deciding match in the other quarterfinal pairing while Adamson and Arellano were playing at press time.
Reigning SSL MVP Alyssa Solomon unloaded 13 points on 11 hits, an ace and a block to lead the way for the Lady Bulldogs, who have yet to yield a single set in another magnificent run so far like their perfect campaign in the inaugural season.
Former UAAP Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen and rookie Arah Ellah Panique had 10 points each while Evangeline Alinsug and Minierva Maaya had six and five points, respectively.
“Kumukuha po kami ng lakas syempre first kay Lord at sa mga taong nakapailigid sa akin. Sila ‘yung reason kung bakit ko binibigay lagi ‘yung best ko every game,” said reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon. “Ito papasok na ng semis, dapat huwag kaming magsawa sa pagkatuto every training. Kailangan pa naming mag-improve every game.”
Faida Bakanke had 18 points on 15 attacks and three blocks as FEU scored a repeat win over Ateneo after a 22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-10 victory in the preliminary round.
Kiesha Bedonia added 10 points while Chenie Tagaod, Gerzel Petallo and Karyme Isabelle Truz chipped in seven, six and five points, respectively, in FEU’s march to the semis.
“Malaking bagay ito dahil nakuha agad namin sa isa at makakagpag-prepare agad. Maglalaban pa UST and CSB so mapag-aaralan pa namin both teams kung ano ang strengths and weaknesses nila para maka-adjust kami. It will be a long preparation for us,” said FEU interim mentor Manolo Refugia.
Kayce Balingit paced UE with 10 points while ace spiker Casiey Dongallo had four points before going down with an ankle sprain. Lyann De Guzman and Jennifer delos Santos led Ateneo with eight points each.