Games today:
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
11 a.m. — FEU vs UE
2 p.m. — Arellano vs Saint Benilde
5 p.m. — Ateneo vs UST
National University stepped up its drive for a title repeat after posting a 25-17, 25-22, 25-13 win over Arellano in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 playoffs on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The reigning champions met little to no resistance from the Lady Chiefs in pocketing the win in only 80 minutes of play for a 6-0 record heading into the quarterfinals as Pool E’s No. 1 seed.
NU’s dominance in Pool E, where it also trounced Ateneo and University Santo Tomas, was only a continuation of its Pool A conquest that featured similar easy wins against Jose Rizal University, University of the East and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Against the Lady Chiefs, all players hit the scoring board for the Lady Bulldogs led by Evangeline Alinsug with 14 points on 13 hits.
Rookie Arah Ellah Panique and Mhicaela Belen had eight points each while reigning SSL Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon added seven.
The Lady Bulldogs, who have yet to yield a single set, will sport a twice-to-beat incentive against the No. 4 team in Pool F.
NU, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 champion and Season 85 runner-up, stamped its class over the National Collegiate Athletic Association bet by posting double-digit leads in the two convincing sets, save for a closer second-set duel it won by only three points.
Laika Tudlasan was the lone Lady Chief in twin figures with 11 points as Arellano wrapped up its playoff campaign at 3-3, needing to wait for the final games today to determine its quarterfinal ranking.
