FEU Lady Tamaraws at the Shakey’s Super League. SSL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — UAAP champion National University and Far Eastern University fight for the second Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals crown in a best-of-three title series starting Monday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
With both squads fielding stacked rosters, the Lady Bulldogs and Lady Tamaraws extended their unbeaten runs in the week-long tournament after eliminating the NCAA finalists in separate knockout semifinal games on Sunday.
FEU made short work of the “three-peat” NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde, 25-16, 25-16, 25-16, to achieve its goal to reach the finals after being a replacement team for defending champion La Salle, which begged off from the competition due to its injury-laden roster.
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Gerz Petallo led the balanced attack of the Lady Tamaraws with 14 points off nine attacks, four aces, and a block to set a Finals date against their Season 86 Final Four tormentors.
“It’s an opportunity again na makalaban namin yung NU kasi nga nung UAAP nagsemis kami and we’re like up to the challenge kasi we’re like the dark horse. It’s very unexpected pero kinaya namin lahat and pinaghirapan namin. So see you, NU, said Petallo.
“Sobrang happy and proud sa team kasi sobrang pinaghirapan namin yung mga naachieve namin ngayon.”
FEU setter Tin Ubaldo orchestrated their plays on top of six points as four players scored in double figures with Faida Bakanke chipping in 13 points including three blocks. Jaz Ellarina and Alyzza Devosora had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Jean Asis added nine points to beat the Lady Blazers, who only had one player in double figures with Wewe Estoque carrying the team with 12 points.
Earlier, NU banked on Alas Pilipinas players Bella Belen and Arah Panique to beat the NCAA runner-up Letran, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21.
With their flight to Japan moved to July 17, Belen and Panique continued to suit up for the Lady Bulldogs as the two-time UAAP MVP unleashed 18 points built on 14 attacks, three aces, and a block.
Panique contributed to NU’s balanced attack with nine points. Erin Pangilinan had eight points, while Vange Alinsug and Aisha Bello added six points each as they haven’t lost a game in the SSL after back-to-back title runs in the past two Preseason Conferences.
“Happy na nanalo kami and will play in the championship. Everybody played their role pero need pa rin talaga ng connections especially yung mga new players,” NU coach Norman Miguel said.
NU and FEU, who needed to play a do-or-die game in the Season 86 Final Four to dispute the last finals ticket, meet again in less than 24 hours at 4 p.m. Game 2 is scheduled on Tuesday and if necessary, a rubber match is on Wednesday.
Both schools swept the group stage with the Lady Bulldogs dominating Enderun Colleges in the quarterfinal on Saturday and the Lady Tamaraws surviving the University of Santo Tomas in five sets to enter the Final Four.
Letran, which banked on Gia Maquilang and Nizelle Martin scoring 12 and 10 points, respectively, takes on St. Benilde in a bronze series at 2 p.m.