MANILA, Philippines — For the third straight year, the NU Lady Bulldogs reigned supreme in the SSL Collegiate Pre-Season Championship with a 23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 Game 2 romp over fierce rivals La Salle Lady Spikers at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.
NU had a slow start but took the next three sets marked by a dominant showing in the fourth frame to dash La Salle’s hopes for a winner-take-all match and cap a historic three-peat.
The Lady Bulldogs turned a slim 9-8 lead to a 20-14 upperhand in the fourth frame highlighted by Vange Alinsug’s title-clinching hit from the left wing to add another diadem to their treasure chest after ruling the UAAP earlier this year.
SSL MVP Alyssa Solomon fired 19 points, while UAAP MVP Bella Belen and Alinsug scored 15 and 10 points, respectively.
“Talagang pinaghirapan namin ‘yung panalo na ito. ‘Yung La Salle, alam namin na lalaban talaga so sinabi lang namin na kailangan din namin lumaban,” said Belen.
Earlier, Far Eastern U essayed a 20-25, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12 comeback win over Santo Tomas to salvage the bronze medal.
Jaz Ellarina delivered 13 points on 10 hits and three blocks while Gerzel Petallo and Faida Bakanke chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.