Games Saturday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
10:00 a.m.—SSC-R vs EAC
12:30 p.m.—Mapua vs Peretual
3:00 p.m.—Ateneo vs JRU
5:30 p.m.—Arellano vs NU
National University flaunted its might with a masterful 25-14, 25-6, 25-12, dismantling of Jose Rizal University on Sunday in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs started out flat in their first game in Pool C before quickly shifting into full gear, displaying the same tenacity and aggressiveness that keyed their unbeaten championship run in the UAAP.
NU blasted a finishing 10-1 barrage in the opening set to shake off the Lady Bombers that had breathed down the Lady Bulldogs’ necks, 15-13.
From there the towering Lady Bulldogs bullied their way into an emphatic sweep.
“We were a bit rusty coming off a one-week vacation and we just got back to training a week ago. We are still far from our competitive form but at it is a good thing we’re now back to our usual grind,” said NU coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Team captain Cess Robles pounded the defense of JRU with 11 points in just a set of action while Minierva Maaya added 10 markers for the Lady Bulldogs.
Rookie Vangie Alinsug had seven attacks and an ace for an impressive debut for NU.
The Lady Bombers slid to 0-2 card. Sydney Niegos and May Ruiz scored six each for JRU.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University inched closer to securing a seat in the next round after coming back from a set down to essay a 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19, win over reigning NCAA champion College of St. Benilde in Pool D on Saturday.
Veterans Jolina Dela Cruz, Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz pumped in 13 points each to carry the Lady Spikers to their second straight win in as many games while booting out the Lady Blazers in the quarterfinals race.
DLSU is playing against Letran as of press time. A win by the Lady Spikers will book them a ticket to the next round, towing with them Far Eastern University, which closed the pool play with a 2-1 slate.
Rookie Amie Provido poured in 12 points while freshman Angel Canino made an impressive debut with six markers for DLSU.
Winless CSB absorbed its second straight defeat despite the 16-point effort of skipper Mycah Go.
Michelle Gamit and Jade Gentapa had 14 markers each in a lost cause for the Lady Blazers.
University of the East, on the other hand, boosted its chances of advancing to the next round after crushing listless San Beda University, 25-8, 25-20, 22-25, 25-19, for a 2-1 record in Pool A tied with University of Perpetual Help.
Vanessa Bangayan had 14 points while Janine Lana got 13 for the Lady Warriors, who handed the also-ran Lady Red Spikers their third loss in a row.