Games Sunday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
1 p.m. –- UST vs Mapua
3:30 p.m. — CSB vs FEU
6 p.m. — Adamson vs SSC-R
University of the East drew closer to securing a seat in the next round after sweeping Mapua University, 25-14, 25-20, 25-20, for its third straight win in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Warriors took advantage of their depth and firepower despite missing the services of ace winger Casiey Dongallo to overwhelm the winless Lady Cardinals and stay unbeaten on top of Pool B.
Riza Nogales scored 11 points from nine kills, one ace and one kill block to lead UE’s back-to-back straight sets win 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.
Jelai Gajero added nine markers while Yesha Rojo chipped in eight to plug the scoring void left by Dongallo, who had to skip the match to undergo a platelet-rich plasma injection in her right arm.
“People stepped up with Casiey out. Our first six and second six soring-wise we did well. Set-wise we won three straight but I feel like we still has a lot more skills to stretch, to work with and improve,” UE deputy coach Doc Obet Vital said.
The Lady Warriors shoot for a sweep of the group stage when they face University of Santo Tomas on October 13.
UE encountered tough resistance in the third frame after cruising in the first two as Mapua kept it tight until the closing stretch.
The Lady Cardinals closed the gap, 22-20, but Nogales answered with back-to-back hits before Christine Ecalla put the exclamation point off a crosscourt hit that Mapua failed to control.
Alyanna Ong and Nadine Berces finished with six points each to pace the Lady Cardinals, who absorbed their second defeat in as many starts.
Meanwhile, National University set its three-peat bid in motion following a 25-12, 25-27, 25-16, 25-17, triumph over Ateneo de Manila University late Friday on Pool A 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.
Erin Pangilinan erupted for 17 points while Vange Alinsug fired 14 points for the Lady Bulldogs, who ruled the National Invitationals last July.
The Blue Eagles, led by Lyann De Guzman’s nine points, dropped to a 1-1 card.
Action resumes today with Mapua facing UST at 1 p.m. followed by the 3:30 p.m. clash between debuting College of Saint Benilde and Far Eastern University.
Capping the triple-bill playdate is the 6 p.m. showdown between Adamson and San Sebastian.
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.
