National University staved off Santo Tomas in Game 2, 25-17, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20, and bagged its second straight 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 Golden Tigresses’ strong resistance, the Lady Bulldogs braved on and chewed out their 18th win in a row after also wiping out the entire opposition in the inaugural season to erect a dynasty in the SSL with back-to-back perfect championship runs.
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 to complete a comeback in the fourth set.
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.
Solomon went on to win the MVP award for her consistent showing.
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 in a 2-0 finale sweep of the SSL Season 2 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.
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.
“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.”
