Perfect Lady Bulldogs claim first semis spot in Shakey's Super League

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 3:38 p.m.) — National University punched the first semifinal ticket with a dominating sweep of Far Eastern University, 25-10, 25-17, 25-15, in the knockout quarterfinal of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Sunday.

The unbeaten Lady Bulldogs pounced on the stunned Lady Tamaraws early to build momentum and dictate the pace of the match that lasted for only 79 minutes to advance into the Final Four.

“We prepared really well coming into this game. I think that helped us a lot in this game,” said NU coach Karl Dimaculangan, whose wards won their sixth straight in as many starts in the tournament organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES).

NU will face in the knockout semifinal the survivor between University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines in the other quarterfinal pairing being played as of press time.

The Final Four is slated on Friday, November 11, while the winner-take-all championship match is set on November 19.

Erin Pangilinan and veteran Alyssa Solomon did most of the damage for NU, which rained down 53 attack points and exploited the problematic reception game of FEU to land 22 aces.

Pangilinan accounted for eight of the total service winners scored by the Lady Bulldogs as she finished with 13 points. Solomon had 10 attacks, an ace and a kill block for 12 markers.

The Lady Tamaraws showed little resistance throughout the match and were tentative on their attacks with only 16 hits penetrating the defensive wall of NU.

FEU tried to keep the third set close as it cut down its deficit to 11-15 before the Lady Bulldogs opened a 24-14 gap off an ace by setter Joyme Cagande.

Mitzi Panangin saved a match point for the Lady Tamaraws with a kill block before rookie Vangie Alinsug sealed the win for NU with a thunderous smash from the middle.

Bella Belen got nine points while Ces Robles and Alinsug added eight markers each for the Lady Bulldogs.

FEU, which dropped its fourth straight game, is relegated to the classification round.

Panangin, Chenie Tagaod and Alyzza Devesora scored four points each for the Lady Tamaraws.

In the second game, Adamson University clinched a semifinal seat after sweeping University of Perpetual Help, 25-14, 25-16, 25-16, behind the duo of May Ann Nuique and Ayesha Juegos.

The Lady Falcons, who won their seventh straight match, will face in the knockout semis the winner between De La Salle University and Ateneo de Manila University in the other quarterfinal pairing being played as of press time.

Nuique finished with 11 points off eight kills, two kill blocks and an ace while Juegos got 10 markers anchored on eight spikes and two service winners for Adamson, which came off a morale-boosting win over La Salle to end the second round Saturday.

“The team played more relaxed today compared to yesterday. My second unit also stepped up to help our starters who I think were a bit tired after our game against La Salle,” Lady Falcons coach Jerry Yee said.

Adamson overpowered the Lady Altas on attacks, 43-25, and even received 20 free points off Perpetual’s errors.

Antonette Adolfo added nine points while Rochell Lalongisip registered six for the Lady Falcons.

The Lady Altas were relegated to the classification round.

Rookie Shaila Omipon and Winnie Bedana paced Perpetual with seven points each.