Games on Nov. 16
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. – UE vs UP (classification 7th to 8th)
6 p.m. – Ateneo vs CSB (classification 5th to 6th)
BACK-TO-BACK champion National University (NU) ended Far Eastern University’s (FEU) unbeaten run with a masterclass, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, to book a finals return trip in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon stamped her class with 17 points, including 11 in the clinching fourth set as the Lady Bulldogs arranged a dream match-up with UAAP rival De La Salle University after its win over University of Santo Tomas in the other semifinal pairing.
NU and La Salle met twice in the last three UAAP finals as they took turns in claiming the titles before staking the prestigious pre-season tourney crown this time around in a best-of-three series starting on Nov. 22 at the same venue.
The Lady Bulldogs will have some score to settle against the Lady Spikers, who snapped their 28-game winning streak in a stellar two-year SSL run so far back in the prelims.
Ms. Solomon had 13 hits and four blocks while UAAP MVP Bella Belen and seasoned spiker Vange Alinsug complemented her with 15 points each.
Ms. Alinsug scored 12 points but no other players finished in double digits for the Lady Tamaraws, who swept their first seven games before meeting their match in the mighty Lady Bulldogs.
Meanwhile, Geezel Tsunashima (11) and Lyann de Guzman (10) joined hands as Ateneo drubbed University of the East, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22, to set a fifth-place battle against NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, which beat UP in the other pairing, 25-19, 25-14, 25-20. — John Bryan Ulanday