Shakey’s Super League: La Salle stands in the way of NU’s 3-peat bid

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Alyssa Solomon over La Salle Green Archers Angel Canino during a 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship game. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — National University’s new coach Sherwin Meneses, one of the most successful coaches in the pros, will be tested at the collegiate level against La Salle’s winning culture built by Ramil De Jesus in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship best-of-three finals.

Meneses, who steered Creamline to a historic grand slam in the PVL, looks to help the Lady Bulldogs complete a ‘three-peat’ in the SSL against the undefeated La Salle University in Game 1 on Friday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

“The atmosphere and level of the game are different now, so I think it’s a good match,” said Meneses.

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

“We need to limit our basic errors. That’s our number one target—to avoid those simple mistakes.”

The rematch of the 2022 Shakey’s Finals opens at 6:30 p.m., followed by Game 2 on Sunday.

Meneses and the Lady Bulldogs are also seeking payback after their 28-game unbeaten run dating back to the league’s inauguration in 2022 was ended by the Lady Spikers in four sets during their second-round collision last month.

READ: Sherwin Meneses is the new NU Lady Bulldogs coach

NU parades the lethal trio of reigning MVP Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, and Vange Alinsug, who ruled the National Invitationals this year and eliminated the erstwhile unbeaten Far Eastern University, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, in the knockout semifinal.

The Lady Bulldogs are also banking on Alexa Mata, Erin Pangilinan, Arah Panique, Sheena Toring, and setter Lams Lamina against their UAAP Season 84 and 85 Finals rivals.

La Salle will continue to turn to stars Angel Canino and 2023 National Invitationals MVP Shevana Laput as well as Amie Provido and Jyne Soreno.

READ: Shakey’s Super League: NU, La Salle unbeaten after contrasting wins

“We always remind them that our opponents are strong, so they need to stick to the system. It’s important to maintain our passing and not lose patience in what we’re doing,” said La Salle assistant coach Noel Orcullo.

The Lady Spikers stunned last year’s silver medalist, the University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, in five sets, 26-28, 25-19, 25-20, 21-25, 15-13, in the other semis pairing to extend their winning run to eight.

The one-game battle for bronze between UST and FEU will be played on Sunday.