MANILA, Philippines — Last year's finalists three-peat-seeking National University and University of Santo Tomas swept separate foes to complete the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship semifinals cast at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Veterans Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon led the way in the twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs' dominating 25-12, 25-22, 25-17, win over University of the Philippines in their quarterfinal clash.
Belen pounded nine attacks, two aces and a kill block for a game-high 12 points while Solomon scored 10 markers as NU advanced to a third straight semis appearance in the centerpiece tournament of the league 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 Lady Bulldogs hurdled a tough challenge thrown by the Fighting Maroons in the second set before cruising the rest of the way to set up an exciting knockout semis duel with unbeaten Far Eastern University on Saturday.
"Ayaw naming ma-waste 'yung pinaghirapan namin sa training. Bakit pa kami naghihirap sa training kung hindi namin naa-apply sa game?" said the reigning tournament Most Valuable Player Solomon.
NU and FEU will meet once again following the thrilling National Invitationals gold medal showdown that the Lady Bulldogs won last July.
Middle blocker Kassandra Doering was the lone bright spot for UP, which was relegated to the classification round, with 10 points.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses fought back from a six-point deficit in the third set to boot out University of the East, 25-22, 25-21, 25-21, and forge a semis meeting with undefeated De La Salle University on Wednesday.
Angge Poyos blasted 10 of her 15 points, all coming from attacks, in the third frame including the game-clinching kill to ice UST's scorching 13-3 blast after going down, 12-18.
"Inisip lang namin na i-compose ang sarili namin kasi nga malaki ang lamang ng kalaban. 'Yung consistency all throughout the game 'yun talaga ang pinanghahawakan namin and 'yung communication sobrang importante talaga," Poyos said.
Regina Jurado had 12 points built on eight spikes, three aces and a kill block for UST.
Jelai Gajero finished with 18 points but had little help on offense as the Lady Warriors were relegated to the classification phase of the 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.
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
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