Unbeaten National University and La Salle battle for all the marbles in the exciting finale of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.
An action-packed and emotional one-game battle for the crown gets underway between two of the country’s best volleyball squads in the 4:30 p.m. dream match airing live via Plus Network on Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
Looking to add the SSL crown to their collection in another perfect run, the Lady Bulldogs are said to have a slight advantage against the same team they swept during the UAAP Season 84 Finals for having a fluid and battle-tested core.
NU led by reigning UAAP Rookie of the year and Most Valuable Player Bella Belen, Ces Robles, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, setter Camilla Lamina, top libero Jen Nierva and promising rookie Vangie Alinsug displayed domination in the tournament supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Team Rebel Sports, Mikasa, F2 Logistics, United Auctioneers, Cherrylume, Eurotel, UPLive, Dr. J Rubbing Alcohol, Toby’s Sports and Nature’s Spring.
The Lady Bulldogs won all of their previous seven matches including a 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-17, victory over University of Santo Tomas in the knockout semifinal last November 11.
But NU coach Karl Dimaculangan knows that claiming the throne will not be a walk in the park, especially against the Lady Spikers who are bent on avenging their UAAP championship loss five months ago.
“La Salle is a very strong team and it will be a big challenge for us. They have a good system and we know they are a champion team. Just like us, they go all-out whatever team they go up against,” said Dimaculangan.
La Salle, on the other hand, is fueled by its desire for redemption.
The Lady Spikers survived a tough challenge against Adamson University last week, needing five sets to beat the Lady Falcons, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-8, and forge a rematch against the Lady Bulldogs.
La Salle will bank on prized recruits Angel Canino and Amie Provido as well as veterans Thea Gagate, Alleiah Malaluan, Fifi Sharma, Leila Cruz, Baby Jyne Soreno, playmaker Mars Alba, Jolina dela Cruz and libero Justine Jazareno to get the much-desired payback.
“I always remind my team to play with pride and heart. Every team wants to beat NU, now is our chance,” said Lady Spikers coach Noel Orcullo.
Meanwhile, Adamson and UST meet in the 2 p.m. battle for bronze.
Facing off in the 9:00 a.m. curtain-raiser for seventh place are University of Perpetual Help and Far Eastern University while University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University dispute the fifth place in the other classification round encounter slated at 11:30 a.m.
Next-day broadcast of games will be available on IBC 13 every Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Solar Entertainment will also carry next-day airings every Sunday and Monday starting 8 p.m.
