REIGNING champion National U and Far Eastern U lived up to expectations by making short work of University of the East and Ateneo, respectively, to book their Final Four tickets in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

Armed with win-once bonuses, the Lady Bulldogs, who swept Pool E, extended their unbeaten campaign with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-23 win over the Lady Warriors as the Lady Tamaraws, who topped Pool F, took down the Blue Eagles anew, 25-19, 25-18, 25-18.

NU will face the winner between Adamson and Arellano while FEU takes on either NCAA champion College of St. Benilde or University of Santo Tomas in the knockout semifinals of the SSL backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports and United Auctioneers, Inc.

St. Benilde stunned twice-to-beat armed University of Santo Tomas, 25-22, 23-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-11, to force a decider in the other quarterfinal pairing while Adamson and Arellano were playing as of press time.

Reigning SSL MVP Alyssa Solomon unloaded 13 points on 11 hits, an ace and a block to lead the way for the Lady Bulldogs, who have yet to yield a single set in another magnificent run so far like their perfect campaign in the inaugural season.

Former UAAP Rookie-MVP Mhicaela Belen and rookie Arah Ellah Panique manufactured 10 points each while Evangeline Alinsug and Minierva Maaya had six and five points, respectively.

“Kumukuha po kami ng lakas syempre first kay Lord at sa mga taong nakapailigid sa akin. Sila ‘yung reason kung bakit ko binibigay lagi ‘yung best ko every game,” said reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon.

“Ito papasok na ng semis, dapat huwag kaming magsawa sa pagkatuto every training. Kailangan pa naming mag-improve every game.”

On the other hand, Faida Bakanke rifled in 18 points on 15 attacks and three blocks as FEU scored a repeat win over Ateneo after a 22-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-10 victory in the preliminary round.

Kiesha Bedonia added 10 points while Chenie Tagaod, Gerzel Petallo and Karyme Isabelle Truz chipped in seven, six and five points, respectively, in FEU’s quick march to the semis of the SSL in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Malaking bagay ito dahil nakuha agad namin sa isa at makagpag-prepare agad. Maglalaban pa UST and CSB so mapag-aaralan pa namin both teams kung ano strengths and weaknesses nila para maka-adjust kami. It will be a long preparation for us,” said FEU interim mentor Manolo Refugia.

Kayce Balingit paced UE with 10 points as ace spiker Casiey Dongallo had four points before going down with an ankle sprain. Lyann De Guzman and Jennifer delos Santos led Ateneo with eight points each.

All SSL Season 2 games are accessible across all platforms live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL with Solar Sports, Blast TV and Aliw Channel 23 as TV partners.