Undefeated NU and FEU secure SSL quarterfinal berths

The NU Lady Bulldogs and FEU Lady Tamaraws continue their perfect run and reach the quarterfinals of the SSL collegiate volleyball tournament

MANILA, Philippines – National University and Far Eastern University stayed on course in their title chase at the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.

The NU Lady Bulldogs secured a spot in the quarterfinals after defeating Xavier University-Northern Mindanao 25-15, 25-13, 25-13 to win Pool A of the university volleyball tournament on Friday, July 12 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Lady Bulldogs showed that they are the reigning UAAP champions as they effortlessly secured their second straight win despite sidelining most of their stars, including Alas Pilipinas members Bella Belen and Arah Panique.

Aishat Bello and Vange Alinsug ensured that NU’s balanced attacking play advanced to the knockout quarter-finals.

The FEU Lady Tamaraws also earned their ticket to the quarterfinals by defeating Lyceum of the Philippines University 25-15, 25-13, 25-12 to win Pool C.

Lovely Lopez scored 9 of her 10 points from attacks, while Melody Pons and Jean Asis each scored 7 for the undefeated Lady Tamaraws, who will face the number 2 in Pool B in the next round.

However, NU head coach Norman Miguel said the Lady Bulldogs still have a lot to improve on despite their dominant performance.

“We are happy to have won, even without the seniors, but we saw complacency in their performance,” Miguel said. “That is still a problem within the team – the tendency to relax when their opponents are underperforming. I told them that. That is not good for me.”

“But still, it’s good that the players stepped up, especially Vange, Abe Pono with the help of Erin Pangilinan,” he added. “Our rookies played well today.”

Bello scored 9 points, including 4 aces for NU, while Alinsug scored 8 points from 6 kills and 2 kill blocks.

Young playmaker Abegail Pono held firm and led the Lady Bulldogs’ attack, while NU rested main setter Lams Lamina and Sheena Toring.

Erin Pangilinan and Minerva Maaya each scored 5 points for the Lady Bulldogs.

NU’s victory also ensured that Enderun Colleges, which it defeated in three sets last Wednesday, received a direct transfer to the next round.

The Lady Titans, who defeated Xavier University 25-12, 25-21, 25-18 last Thursday, will play the top-seeded team from Pool D in the quarterfinals.

Chrys Biongcog and Charity Rockwell scored 5 and 4 points respectively to lead Xavier University, which ended the campaign without a win.

FEU, meanwhile, scored 41 attacking points and took advantage of the Lady Pirates’ poor reception to score 8 aces in the 73-minute volleyball clinic.

Ashley Muchillas had 5 points, while Angelica Cruz, Joan de Guzman and Marinel Sagayno added 4 each in a game lost to third-placed Lyceum of the NCAA Season 99, which ended its winless streak.

The Lady Pirates suffered a four-set loss to USPF last Thursday. – Rappler.com