Evangeline Alinsug of National University battles Casiey Dongallo and Kayce Balingit of University of the East in the Shakey’s Super League at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. SSL photo
NU sweeps UE in Shakey’s Super League battle
DEFENDING champion National University opened its title-retention bid in style, pulling off a convincing 25-15, 25-19, 25-15 win over UAAP rival University of the East in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Evangeline Alinsug, Arah Ellah Panique, Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan and Mhicaela Belen took charge for the Lady Bulldogs, who needed only 71 minutes to beat the Lady Warriors and give coach Norman Miguel a fitting victory in his return.
Alinsug and Panique finished with 11 points, Solomon added eight points, Pangilinan contributed seven points, and Belen had five points in the Lady Bulldogs’ smashing start in Pool A.
“Masaya ako kasi I’m back after the pandemic. Mas masaya ako kasi ‘yung trust, nadun pa rin. Masaya na panalo pero meron ka kasi kahit paano na expectations. Siguro, dahil first game pa lang at yung all-to-play so parang nagmi-mix and match pa lang,” said Miguel.
“At least nakita namin kung ano pa ang kailangan naming trabahuhin as preparation for the UAAP,” he added.
Earlier, Far Eastern University overpowered NCAA rival Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-6, 25-15, 25-12, for a 2-0 record in Pool D.
Gerzel Petallo tallied 11 points to lead FEU, which posted the fastest win so far in the 16-team tournament 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 and Genius Sports.
“Happy kami sa (2-0 record). Magandang simula ito dito sa Shakey’s. Maganda ‘yung ipinapakita ng buong team lalo na ‘yung mga second stringers. Naibibigay nila ‘yung ini-ensayo nila,” said FEU interim coach Manolo Refugia.
UE, which opened its campaign with a 25-14, 25-21, 25-19 over Jose Rizal University, slid to 1-1 in Pool A while EAC slipped to 0-1 in Pool D.
With little to no break, NU spikes for a 2-0 slate against San Sebastian College-Recoletos (1-0) on Sunday while FEU (2-0) takes a long break before aiming for a Pool D sweep against Ateneo (0-0).
Meanwhile, UE clashes with San Sebastian next Saturday as EAC tangles with Mapua on Monday.
