Lady Bulldogs defeat Lady Tams to take 3rd Shakey’s National Invitationals – Tempo – The fastest growing newspaper in the country

National University’s victory at the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals speaks volumes about the success of the school’s volleyball program.

Despite being without several key players and fielding a young lineup, the Lady Bulldogs relied on their grit, composure and iron will to overcome an equally talented Far Eastern University team in a grueling finals series and complete another perfect title run.

The reigning UAAP champions came back from a 1-2 deficit to win the second match of the best-of-three series 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10. The match was won on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“I have to say that the NU volleyball program has developed the right formula from high school to college. Even though it’s not always perfect, it doesn’t hurt to get results,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Norman Miguel.

NU showed the true heart of a champion by battling back from the same situation as in last Monday’s season opener, winning a total of six games in the tournament, supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Team Rebel Sports and Mikasa.

Most Valuable Player Bella Belen’s leadership and scoring prowess propelled the Lady Bulldogs to their first National Invitationals title after skipping the inaugural edition, which was ruled by De La Salle University (which was absent this year).

NU has added the National Invitationals title to its collection after back-to-back victories at the Collegiate Preseason Championship, both in impressive fashion.

All in all, the Lady Bulldogs remained undefeated in all 24 games they played in the three tournaments they participated in the SSL, organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. with Smart Livestream, Puso Pilipinas and Solar Sports as broadcast partners.

Miguel enjoyed the unexpected title fight, as NU had limited preparation time. Injured veteran Alyssa Solomon sat out the entire competition, as did Sheena Toring and Vange Alinsug in the finals. Also uncertain was whether Alas Pilipinas members Belen and Arah Panique would be available.

Fortunately for the Lady Bulldogs, Belen and Panique, who saved her best game for last with a tournament-record 27 points in the final, played in the final after Alas Pilipinas’ flight to Japan was moved from its original July 14 date to a later date.

Belen was called 1^st Best Outside Striker with teammates Lams Lamina (Best Setter) and Shaira Jardio (Best Libero) who also won individual awards.

Other individual prize winners were third place College of Saint Benilde’s Wewe Estoque (2^nd Best Outside Spiker) and Zam Nolasco (1^st Best Middle Blocker), Jean Asis from Far Eastern University (2^nd Best Middle Blocker) and Judielle Nitura of Letran (Best Opposing Forward).

SSL returns in September for another action-packed Collegiate Preseason Championship.