MANILA – The College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers swept the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Lady Stags, 25-19, 25-18, 25-20, on Friday (18 Oct 2024) to clinch the final berth in the second round of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship, held at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
CSB’s opposite hitter Clydel Catarig stepped up in the third set, contributing six crucial points, while wing spiker Wielyn Estoque added five, successfully shutting down the Lady Stags’ bid to extend the match.
Estoque led the way for the three-time NCAA champions, tallying 11 attacks, a block, and an ace. The Lady Blazers wrapped up the first round with a 2-1 record in Pool D.
Catarig also made a significant impact, finishing with nine points, while teammates Cristy Ondangan and Rhea Mae Densing chipped in with seven and six points, respectively.
“That’s exactly what I expect from them,” said CSB head coach Jerry Yee. “We focus on teaching them composure, and that’s part of their growth. Having competed in SSL and other leagues for a while now, I see them maturing, improving, and listening more.”
On the opposing side, San Sebastian’s opposite hitter Christina Marasigan led her team with nine points. Wing spiker Katherine Santos and middle blocker Juna May Gonzales contributed seven and six points, respectively, but their efforts weren’t enough to prevent their team from going winless in the first round.
The Lady Blazers will move on to face the University of the East in Pool E on Sunday as the second round-robin phase kicks off. Meanwhile, National University will go head-to-head with De La Salle University in the other Pool E matchup.
Over in Pool F, the University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, and the University of the Philippines will continue their campaigns.
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MANILA – De La Salle University triumphed over Jose Rizal University in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16, completing a sweep of Pool C in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship. The match took place at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Sunday (13 Oct 2024).
Sandy Patricia Demain led the charge with 11 points, while Baby Jyne Soreño, Katrina del Castillo, and Amor Klarisse Guinto contributed 10 points each. This victory marks the Lady Spikers’ third consecutive win in the tournament.
Next, La Salle is set to face top-seeded Pool A contenders and the No. 2 teams from Pools B and D in the next round of round-robin play.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and San Beda University also secured wins over their respective opponents.
FEU’s Jean Asis tallied 13 points, with Chenie Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo adding 12 each, as the Lady Tamaraws edged out Adamson University in a thrilling five-set match, 16-25, 25-22, 31-33, 25-20, 15-13, sweeping Pool D.
Adamson’s rookie Shaina Nitura was the standout performer with 35 points, though the Lady Falcons suffered their first loss in two games.
In Pool A, San Beda University notched its first victory, beating Emilio Aguinaldo College 25-18, 25-23, 25-22. Reyann Canete and Venice Pagayanan both scored 8 points to lift the Lady Red Spikers to a 1-2 record.
EAC’s Elizza Alimen and Alessandra Razonable posted 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Lady Generals fell to 0-3.
Looking ahead, the action continues on October 16, with Perpetual squaring off against Lyceum at 1 p.m., Ateneo taking on EAC at 3:30 p.m., and Adamson facing CSB at 6 p.m.
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MANILA — University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses dominated Mapua University, securing a 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 victory in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship at Rizal Memorial Coliseum over the weekend.
Kyla Cordora led UST with nine points, while Xyza Gula added eight, helping the team climb to second place in Pool B behind the undefeated University of the East Lady Warriors. Margaret Althea chipped in seven points, and Jonna Chris Perdido and Regina Grace Jurado contributed six points each. UST also notched a 25-16, 28-30, 25-17, 25-14 win against Lyceum of the Philippines the previous day.
“We were relaxed in the first set and just enjoyed the game,” said Cordora in a post-match interview.
Despite Mapua’s late rally, Cordora sealed the match in one hour and 23 minutes. Middle blocker Alyanna Nicole Ong tallied six attacks, one block, and an ace for the Lady Cardinals, who are winless after three games.
In Pool C action, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons earned their first win by defeating Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 17-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-23. Middle blocker Kassandra Thalia Doering starred with nine attacks and seven blocks for UP, while Joan Marie Monares and Niña Ytang added key contributions.
UP will face the University of Perpetual Help next, while defending champion National University takes on Emilio Aguinaldo College.
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Games today:
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. — EAC vs Arellano
6 p.m. — Letran vs JRU
MANILA — De La Salle University survived an early test after beating University of the Philippines, 25-14, 18-25, 26-24, 25-12, to announce its return in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Spikers, back after skipping last year’s edition, turned to grizzled veterans Angel Canino and Shevana Laput in repelling the gritty Fighting Maroons to open their Pool C campaign on a bright note.
UP gave La Salle fits in the second and third sets but the 2023 National Invitationals champion regained its bearing in the fourth with Canino and Laput at the helm.
The Lady Spikers used a huge 14-2 fourth set blitz to open an 11-point lead, 16-5, that zapped the fight out of the Fighting Maroons in their thrilling encounter in the centerpiece SSL tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.
Laput scored seven of her 18 points in the fourth frame including the game-sealing crosscourt kill while Canino added 16 points with 14 coming off attacks for La Salle.
“For the team, it was really just sticking to our system, listening to what the coaches were telling us but most importantly playing with pride and puso,” the 2023 National Invitationals Most Valuable Player said after La Salle weathered UP’s challenge.
Amie Provido added 10 points while Katrina Del Castillo had eight for the Lady Spikers.
After splitting the first two frames, the Lady Spikers controlled the third set and even held a 23-18 lead. But the Fighting Maroons fired four straight points to knot it at 23.
A UP miscue gave La Salle the set point advantage before Irah Jaboneta scored a hit for a 24-24 deuce. Laput answered with a crosscourt kill and Provido won it for La Salle off a kill block on Kassandra Doering.
Rookie Kianne Olango scored 12 points with half of it coming in the Fighting Maroons’ second set assault. Doering finished with seven markers while Jaboneta and Nina Ytang chipped in six for UP.
Meanwhile, University of the East recovered from a set down to turn back an upset-conscious Lyceum of the Philippines University, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 25-14, in Pool B late Saturday.
Jelai Gajero, back from a knee injury she sustained last year, delivered an impressive performance for the Lady Warriors as she dropped a game-high 20 points from 17 kills, two kill blocks and an ace.
Riza Nogales added 15 markers while KC Cepada and Nahomie Mpata scored nine and eight points for UE, which encountered stiff resistance from the Lady Pirates in the first three sets before cruising in the fourth.
Johna Dolorito was the lone Lyceum player in double figures with 10 points.
Action continues Sunday with Emilio Aguinaldo College squaring off with Arellano University at 3:30 p.m. in Pool A of the tilt which has Smart Sports, PLDT Fibr, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), SM Tickets as technical partners.
Pool C squads Letran College and Jose Rizal University battle at 6 p.m. to cap the tournament airing live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas, SMART Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable and Channel 59 on Cable Link.
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NATIONAL University marched to the championship round after beating Letran in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21, in the semifinals of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals, Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Still unbeaten in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Team Rebel Sports and Mikasa, the Lady Bulldogs will face either College of St. Benilde or Far Eastern University in the best-of-3 finals, with Game 1 set for Monday afternoon at the same venue.
“Happy na nanalo kami and will play in the championship. Everybody played their role pero need pa rin talaga ng connections especially ‘yung mga new players,” NU head coach Norman Miguel said.
Veteran hitter Mhicaela Belen tallied 18 points on 14 kills, three aces and a block, while Arah Ella Panique added 9 points as the reigning UAAP champion Lady Bulldogs rolled to their fourth straight win.
The two were able to play after the Japan training camp of the Alas Pilipinas national team was moved to a later date.
Erin Pangilinan chipped in 8 points while Vange Alinsug and Aishat Bello scored six apiece for NU.
Gia Marcel Maquilang paced Letran with 12 points, while Nizelle Aeriyen Martin contributed 10 points, including five in the third set.
The battle for the bronze medal is also a best-of-three affair.
In an exciting showdown, La Salle is on the brink of adding another championship to their tally, while Adamson aims to mark the beginning of a new era with a triumphant start. The two teams will collide in the inaugural match of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals finals, taking place at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Wednesday.
The action kicks off at 4 p.m., featuring the Lady Spikers and the Lady Falcons vying to seize the upper hand in the quick best-of-three finals series.
The winner will inch closer to becoming the maiden national champion of the SSL, proudly presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as the designated office transport provider.
This prestigious event is held in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Earlier in the day, at 2 p.m., the University of Santo Tomas and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta will engage in a bronze-medal showdown, also adopting the best-of-three format.
While La Salle, led by the seasoned mentor Ramil de Jesus and reigning as the UAAP champions, enters the battlefield as the anticipated favorites, Adamson, who secured third place in the UAAP, exudes confidence under the guidance of their new coach, JP Yude, following an impressive journey leading up to this point.
The Lady Spikers showcased their prowess by breezing through the Final Four, although they faced a five-set challenge against UST. Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons have been flawless throughout the entire 12-team SSL tournament, not dropping a single set. Their impressive run includes a comprehensive victory over Perpetual in the semifinal matchup. (AI/MNM)
La Salle team (SSL Photo Handout)
MANILA — De La Salle University prevailed in a thrilling five-set match over the University of Santo Tomas to secure a finals slot in the Shakey’ Super League (SSL) National Invitationals on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Exhibiting their championship composure, the Lady Spikers demonstrated resilience by saving multiple match points during the fourth and fifth sets. This remarkable display led to a remarkable 22-25, 25-18, 14-25, 26-24, 26-24 triumph over the Golden Tigresses.
Their impressive performance paves the way for a best-of-3 finals series against fellow UAAP contender Adamson. In the opposite semifinal match, Adamson swiftly dismissed the Perpetual Help Lady Altas in three sets, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16.
During the fourth set, La Salle found themselves trailing 21-24. However, they rallied to score the final five points of the set, forcing a decisive rubber match. The fifth set witnessed an even more dramatic turn of events as La Salle thwarted seven match points, ultimately securing the victory after a demanding two hours and 23 minutes of play.
The closing moment came with a crosscourt kill by Alleiah Malaluan, following a single block from Thea Gagate. Malaluan’s outstanding contribution of 25 points, including 20 kills and five aces, spearheaded the reigning UAAP champions’ charge. Shevana Laput added 23 points to the scoreboard, while Gagate contributed 14 points for the Lady Spikers.
Reflecting on the match, La Salle’s assistant coach Noel Orcullo remarked, “As I’ve mentioned, the semifinals bring a different level of competition. I simply reminded them to bring out their A-game.” He noted that excitement might have led to some errors, particularly in their serves. He further reminded the team, “We just told them to show who they truly are.”
In a pivotal moment, when UST setter Cassie Carballo’s unexpected hit gave UST a 24-21 advantage, the Lady Spikers responded emphatically, securing five consecutive points, culminating in Malaluan’s decisive attack.
Despite their commendable efforts, the Golden Tigresses faced multiple challenges, with their closest call at 24-23 after a hit by Poyos. However, they ultimately surrendered the next three points, resulting in a bitter defeat.
Poyos delivered an explosive performance, amassing 29 points, while Jurado contributed 25 points in a valiant but unsuccessful endeavor for the Tigresses. They are now set to compete against the Lady Altas in a separate best-of-3 series for the bronze medal. (ai/mnm)
It’s all systems go for the semifinal round of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals 2023, and the stage is now clear with four teams remaining in the competition.
From an original cast of 12 contenders, only these four teams have emerged victorious – three from UAAP and one from NCAA.
The semi-final matches are scheduled to commence on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The reigning UAAP champion, La Salle, is gearing up to face off against rival University of Santo Tomas, in the main event set for 4 p.m.
Preceding this clash, at 2 p.m., there will be an opening match between UAAP bronze medalist Adamson and the unexpected contender from NCAA, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
The winners of these matches will advance to the finals, which will follow a best-of-three format and take place in the upcoming week.
The ultimate goal for these teams is to secure the title of the first national champion of the SSL.
This tournament is presented by Eurotel as the official hotel, with Victory Liner serving as the office transport provider. The event is conducted in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (ai/mnm)
De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas have set the stage for an eagerly awaited semifinal showdown after securing divergent victories in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.
The exhilarating clashes took place on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers breezed past their opponents from Mindanao, Jose Maria College Foundation (JMCF), with a dominant performance resulting in a 25-18, 25-14, 25-19 victory.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses had to overcome a challenge from Luzon contender and NAASCU champion Enderun Colleges, triumphing in four sets with scores of 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 25-14.
On Friday, La Salle and UST will collide in the first match of the highly anticipated Final Four, a rematch occurring three months after their enthralling semifinal battle during UAAP Season 85, which was ultimately claimed by the spikers from Taft.
Demonstrating their undeniable prowess as reigning UAAP champions, the Lady Spikers showcased an unstoppable performance even amidst the gathering of SSL champions from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
They secured yet another sweeping victory in just 67 minutes.
The dynamic duo of Shevana Laput and Thea Gagate once again asserted their dominance on both offensive and defensive fronts, leading La Salle to their third consecutive comfortable win without relinquishing a single set in the 12-team SSL.
The tournament is proudly presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as the office transport provider, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (ai/mnm)