National University begins its three-peat quest in a clash with Ateneo de Manila University as action in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship resumes Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Pool A match set at 6 p.m. caps an explosive triple-bill playdate with the Lady Bulldogs eyeing a good start in their campaign to complete a season sweep after ruling the National Invitationals last July.
Parading an intact lineup led by SSL ambassador Bella Belen, reigning tournament Most Valuable Player Alyssa Solomon, top setter Lams Lamina and Arah Panique, NU remains a title favorite 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.
The Lady Bulldogs have not dropped a single game in all 24 matches of the three competitions they joined in the SSL since 2022.
NU under new coach Sherwin Meneses is fresh from representing the country in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Thailand, finishing sixth in the eight-team field.
Despite overwhelming odds, the Blue Eagles are determined to pull off an upset following their thrilling reverse sweep over San Beda University, 22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-7, last Saturday.
Meanwhile, University of the East seeks back-to-back wins when it battles debuting University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the 1 p.m. Pool B curtain-raiser 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), SM Tickets as technical partners.
The Lady Red Warriors turned back Lyceum of the Philippines University, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22, 25-14, last Friday behind the 20-point outing of Jelai Gajero.
On the other hand, Arellano University hunts for a second straight win and a firmer hold of the top spot in Pool A against San Beda at 3:30 p.m.
The Lady Chiefs swept Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-17, 25-16, 25-12, last Sunday to open their campaign on a high note.
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.
Games Friday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
1 p.m. –- UE vs Perpetual
3:30 p.m. — San Beda vs Arellano
6 p.m. — NU vs Ateneo
