Another SSL perfect run for Lady Bulldogs
MANILA, Philippines — National U staved off Santo Tomas, 25-17, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20, Saturday night to cap its second straight title sweep in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
In the jaws of the Golden Tigresses’ strong resistance, the Lady Bulldogs braved on and chewed out their 18th win in a row to duplicate their perfect title run in the inaugural season.
Mhicaela Belen, the First Best Outside Hitter, delivered when it mattered the most with 17 points – all on attacks – including seven of NU’s last 10 points.
Evangeline Alinsug added 15 points while Alyssa Solomon, the back-to-back SSL Season MVP and Best Opposite Spiker, dropped 14 points on 10 hits, three blocks and an ace.
Best Setter Camilla Lamina quarterbacked the steady offense with First Best Middle Blocker and team captain Erin May Pangilinan anchoring the defensive stand of the Lady Bulldogs.
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. – John Bryan Ulanday
“Sa totoo lang, nakakabilib ‘yung UST. For 2 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,” said Norman Miguel, a champion coach right away in his NU return.
“’Yung level of character ng bawat isa, nandoon. High school pa lang, champions na yang mga yan. Nagchampion pa sila sa UAAP women’s. ‘Yun ang bumubuhat sa kanila, ‘yung character talaga nila kaya ito ang resulta sa SSL.”
Overall, NU dropped only two sets in an amazing 10-game this season – a similar feat it had in yielding only two sets in an eight-game campaign in the inaugural tournament.
Xyza Gula had 18 points while Poyos and Regina Jurado added 11 and 10 points in Santo Tomas’ runner-up finish this time after placing fourth last season.
Earlier, Far Eastern U completed a sweep of Adamson with another feisty 25-18, 16-25, 25-15, 21-25, 15-7 win in Game 2 to bag the bronze medal of the SSL Season 2.
It’s the same scenario – and the same results – for the Lady Tamaraws
