Shakey’s Super League: NU, La Salle renew rivalry in finals

NU’s Alyssa Solomon during a game against FEU in the Shakey’s Super League.–AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — The ‘three-peat’-seeking National University renews its rivalry with La Salle in a rematch of the inaugural Shakey’s Super League finals two years ago when they clash in a best-of-three title series for the Collegiate Pre-season Championship starting on November 22.

NU dealt the first loss and knockout blow to erstwhile-unbeaten Far Eastern University, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, in the knockout semifinal on Saturday night at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.      

MVP Alyssa Solomon connived with Bella Belen and Vange Alinsug to inch a series closer to a third consecutive SSL title against the unbeaten La Salle—also a rematch between the UAAP Seasons 84 and 85 Finals.

READ: Shakey’s Super League: NU, UST barge into semifinals

The Lady Bulldogs also get a shot at redemption after the Lady Spikers ended their 28-game unbeaten streak, which started two years ago, as the latter pulled off a  32-30, 14-25, 25-22, 25-21 win in their second round duel last month.

Former SSL MVP  Solomon unloaded 11 of her game-high 17 points in the fourth set including three of the Lady Bulldogs’ last four points.  

Belen and Alinsug had 15 points each both built on 13 attacks, one ace, and one block.

“Gusto ko lang ibawi ang sarili ko and i-redeem ang sarili ko kasi slow start ako,” said Solomon, who had 13 kills and four kill blocks to halt her lethargic start.

FEU still couldn’t get over the hump in facing NU as its seven-game winning streak was snapped. 

The Lady Tamaraws also lost to the Lady Bulldogs in the National Invitational finals and Season 86 Final Four.

READ: Shakey’s Super League: La Salle, FEU book semis berths

Gerzel Petallo was the lone double-digit scorer for FEU with 12 points off 10 spikes, one block, and an ace, as Jean Asis added eight points.

FEU and UST, which was eliminated by La Salle in the semis, clash for bronze on November 22. 

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University overwhelmed the University of the East, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22, with Zel Tsunashima and Lyan De Guzman leading the way with 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the first phase of the classification round 

The Blue Eagles tackle NCAA champion College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers in the battle for fifth on Saturday next week, while the Lady Warriors take on the UP Fighting Maroons for the seventh place.