Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals press conference.–SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Reigning champion La Salle won’t be seeing action due to an injury-riddled roster, as UAAP Season 86 champion National University misses its key players in the second edition of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals starting on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
According to the league, La Salle, which ruled last year’s inaugural National Invitationals led by MVP Shevana Laput, has begged off due to several players nursing injuries.
Angel Canino is with Alas Pilipinas for a two-week training camp in Japan, while four players led by Thea Gagate and Julia Coronel went pro.
READ: La Salle dominates Adamson in Game 3 to win Shakey’s Super League crown
NU, which missed last year’s Invitationals, will be joining this year but two-time UAAP Bella Belen and Arah Panique will only play in the first two games as they will leave for Japan with Alas. Season 86 Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon skipped the competition to recuperate from an injury.
As the Lady Bulldogs open its Pool A campaign against Enderun at 12 noon, Erin Pangilinan embraces the challenge to step up for the team and lead their younger teammates.
“Nakamindset na kami na there will be no Bella, Arah and Aly. This is a great opportunity not only for us as an individual but for the team to see kung saan ba kami,” said Pangilinan, who will be leading NU with fellow holdovers Vange Alinsug, Sheena Toring, and setter Lams Lamina.
“And also to give opportunity sa mga bagong dadating sa team to showcase their skills, papasok din kasi diyan yung maturity ng bawat isa paano magstep up yung bawat player, bawat teammates,” she added.
La Salle, which placed third in the UAAP and beat Adamson in last year’s best-of-three national finals, will be replaced by UAAP fourth placer Far Eastern University.
The Lady Tamaraws, led by setter Tin Ubaldo, will parade an intact roster including Chen Tagaod, Faida Bakanke, Gerz Petallo, Mitzi Panangin, and Jean Asis.
“Mas fino-focus namin yung rookies namin for exposure pero yung pagiging intact namin will be a good help siya sa rookies,” said Ubaldo. “Sa tournament na ito, as much as possible gusto namin makapasok sa finals.”
FEU is slated in Pool C, battling the University of Southern Philippines Foundation at 4 p.m. Pool B features a rookie-laden University of Santo Tomas roster as the Tigresses take on the University of Batangas at 2 p.m. to kick off their Pool B campaign.
Also participating in the tournament featuring the top three teams from the UAAP, NCAA and two of the best squads from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are Xavier University-Northern Mindanao Selection in Pool A, Team SOCCSKSARGEN (Southern Mindanao Selection) in Pool B, NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde in Pool D and NCAA third placer Lyceum of the Philippines University in Pool C.
All teams play in a single round-robin group stage where the top two teams in each bracket will advance to the crossover knockout quarterfinals. The semifinals will also be played in a do-or-die affair.
The championship and battle for bronze are both best-of-three series. In case the title showdown ends in two games and the battle for third pairing is tied after Game 2, the bronze medal winner will be decided via FIVB tiebreak.