UAAP champion La Salle stamped its class over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta while Enderun Colleges drubbed Notre Dame of Dadiangas University at the start of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Saturday, July 29, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The Lady Spikers hardly missed the absence of UAAP Rookie-MVP Angel Canino as they romped to a 25-11, 25-17, 25-12 win over the Lady Altas in Pool A match, while the Lady Titans outlasted the Kingfishers, 27-25, 25-22, 25-14, in Pool D action.
La Salle wasted no time proving its lofty status, needing only 81 minutes to wrap the match.
UAAP’s Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate fired 12 points on eight hits and four blocks to show the way in La Salle’s statement win.
Amie Provido added the same output as Alleiah Malaluan and Shevana Laput chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, for La Salle that also ruled the last year’s Collegiate Pre-Season Championship.
Earlier, Althea Virnyce Botor and Erika Jin Deloria tallied 17 and 16 points, respectively as Luzon qualifier Enderun came away with an equally impressive win over NDDU from General Santos City in 83 minutes of play.
“Medyo tight yung start namin kasi this is the first time we played in this kind of atmosphere. Slow start but luckily, we won. The girls played their hearts out lalo na ‘nung kailangan na namin ng puntos,” said Enderun coach Ariel Dela Cruz.
Andrea Sendico put up 10 points for NDDU while NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol was the only bright spot for Perpetual with eight points.
Meanwhile, all 12 teams featuring bets from NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were introduced in a simple opening ceremony and parade led by ACES president Dr. Ian Laurel, Shakey’s general manager Jorge Concepcion and CHED official Ana Dulce Yango.
