MANILA, Philippines — Defending champion National University and undefeated Far Eastern University go all out to reserve a seat in the finals of the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Expect an explosive knockout semifinal showdown when the two powerhouse squads meet at 6 p.m. for the right to face De La Salle University in the best-of-three championship series.
Game 1 of the finals is on November 22.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East collide at 3:30 p.m. in the first phase of the classification round of the 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.
The winner between the Blue Eagles and Lady Warriors will take on College of Saint Benilde in the battle for fifth scheduled November 16.
Still, all eyes will be on the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Tamaraws as they clash in a rematch of the 2024 National Invitationals title series NU won in two games both decided in five sets.
FEU is determined to score a payback for its loss in the previous tournament and for getting knocked out by the same rival in the UAAP Season 86 Final Four six months ago.
The Lady Tamaraws are coming in hot with seven straight victories including a come-from-behind, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-17, quarterfinal triumph over the Lady Blazers last Sunday.
"Kailangan naming gawin is magtrabaho pa rin and gawin 'yung mga sinasabi ng mga coaches. Maging consistent pa and magtiwala lang sa mga kasama," FEU veteran winger Chenie Tagaod said.
Tagaod has Alyzza Devosora, Clarisse Loresco, Gerzel Petallo, Jean Asis and setter Tin Ubaldo to back her up in the Lady Tamaraws' charge for a breakthrough finals stint in the SSL's centerpiece competition which has Smart Sports, PLDT Fibr, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and SM Tickets as technical partners.
The Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, are out to keep their three-peat hopes alive.
NU cruised past University of the Philippines, 25-12, 25-22, 25-17, in the quarterfinal last Sunday.
"Ang mindset namin is kailangan maayos pa namin 'yung mga kulang and mas magtrabaho pa kami ng mas mabuti. May mga lapses kami na dapat pang ayusin," Lady Bulldogs assistant coach Karl Dimaculangan said.
Reigning tournament Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon leads NU backstopped by veterans Bella Belen, Vange Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, Sheena Toring and playmaker Lams Lamina.
The semis loser clashes with University of Santo Tomas in a one-game battle for third also on November 22.
SSL games are aired live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas, SMART Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable and Channel 59 on Cable Link. TMT