Games Sunday (Oct. 20):
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
11 a.m. –- Ateneo vs UST
2 p.m. –- UE vs CSB
5 p.m. --- La Salle vs NU
Defending champion National University takes on familiar rival De La Salle University in a clash of powerhouse squads as the thrilling second round of the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship fires off Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The marquee showdown in Pool E is set at 5 p.m. following the 2 p.m. encounter between the University of the East and the College of Saint Benilde in the same group at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas and Ateneo de Manila University face off in a Pool F clash at 11 a.m. to open the triple-bill playdate of the round-robin playoffs where two quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantages in each pool are at stake.
Tagged as favorites, the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs and Lady Spikers look to stay unbeaten after sweeping their respective pools in the opening round and draw closer to a quarters incentive in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea and Summit Water.
NU dominated Arellano University, 25-9, 25-12, 25-12, last Friday to emerge unscathed after four outings in Pool A and build momentum ahead of the much-anticipated first meeting against La Salle since the league’s inaugural championship two years ago.
The Lady Bulldogs swept the Lady Spikers in the winner-take-all final of the 2022 edition of the competition, which has Smart Sports, PLDT Fibr, Mikasa, Asics, Rebel Sports, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and SM Tickets as technical partners.
La Salle won the 2023 National Invitationals with NU skipping the tournament due to national team commitments. The Lady Spikers took a leave of absence in the second staging of the Collegiate Pre-season Championship last year and the 2024 National Invitationals, both ruled by the Lady Bulldogs.
“It’s very exciting kasi ngayon na lang ulit kami magtatapat ng La Salle. Also, kinakabahan kasi siyempre alam natin na nagpi-prepare rin sila,” NU setter Lams Lamina said.
Lamina will have the support from Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, Arah Panique, Vange Alinsug, Sheena Toring, and Myrtle Escanlar to back her up against La Salle weapons Angel Canino, Shevana Laput, Amie Provido, Jyne Soreno and senior high standouts Sandy Demain and Katrina Del Castillo.
On the other hand, the Golden Tigresses seek to extend their winning run to five after lording over Pool B against Pool A second-seed Blue Eagles, who are on a two-game romp.
The Lady Blazers, the lone NCAA team in the playoffs, gun for a third straight victory after wrapping Pool D with back-to-back wins. The Lady Warriors are raring to recover from a painful five-set loss to UST to end their Pool B campaign.
SSL games are aired live and on-demand via Puso Pilipinas, SMART Livestream, Solar Sports Channel 70 on Sky Cable, and Channel 59 on Cable Link.
