University of the Philippines booked the last ticket into the next round in Pool A after dismantling hapless San Beda University, 25-19, 25-7, 25-18, in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.
The Fighting Maroons extended their unbeaten run to three games and formally joined University of Perpetual Help in the second round where the top two teams of each pool will be grouped into two pools for another round of round robin play to determine their positions in the knockout quarterfinals.
Alyssa Bertolano made her presence felt on offense with 12 points off nine attacks, two aces, and a kill block for UP, which will try to complete a sweep of the group stage against Mapua on Saturday.
“I saw a lot of improvement in our passing in this game but we still have a lot of things we need to address. We still have one game to go before the next round so we just need to build confidence and momentum,” UP coach Shaq de los Santos said.
Danica Celis got eight points while Jewel Encarnacion and Stephanie Bustrillo added seven points each for the Diliman-based squad which sent the Lady Red Spikers packing after a winless stint.
Meanwhile, reigning UAAP champion National University completed a sweep of Pool C after fending off Ateneo de Manila University, 25-8, 25-19, 16-25, 25-19, in a showdown of second round-bound powerhouse teams.
After a dominating first two frames, the Lady Bulldogs allowed the Blue Eagles to steal the third set as NU committed 11 errors and gave Ateneo a chance to establish separation midway through the set.
The Karl Dimaculangan
-mentored squad, who swept their way into the UAAP Season 84 throne, again found trouble shaking off the Blue Eagles in the next set with Ateneo breathing down the Lady Bulldogs’ necks, 19-18.
A timely attack by skipper Ces Robles ignited a 6-1 blast to close the match as NU capped the pool play with a 3-0 win-loss record.
Sheena Toring blasted 18 points while Bella Belen added 11 attacks to lead the Lady Bulldogs, who gave their championship core more minutes of action compared to their previous two outings. Erin Pangilinan had 10 markers while Robles posted seven points including the game-clinching crosscourt spike. mark escarlote
