Streaking University of Santo Tomas takes on Far Eastern University to boost its bid for a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Action begins at 2 p.m. with the Golden Tigresses eyeing a second straight victory in Pool F against the debuting Lady Tamaraws.
Meanwhile, defending champion National University looks to rebound from a stinging setback in a Pool E clash against College of Saint Benilde at the scheduled 5 p.m. main game of 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.
UST opened the second round with a quick work of Ateneo de Manila University, 25-11, 25-20, 25-17, last Sunday to remain unscathed after five outings overall following a clean sweep of the first round.
Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes braces for a tough grind against the 2024 National Invitationals runner-up and bronze medalist in last year’s edition of the centerpiece tournament of the league, 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.
“Kailangan maglaro ng maayos para manalo. ‘Di naman kami bago sa isa’t isa nakakailang laro na rin kami buong taon. Basta stick to the system lang and the rest will follow,” said Reyes, who steered UST to a runner-up finish last season.
Reyes will pin his hopes on reliable winger Angge Poyos, who dropped 17 points in the previous game, ace setter Cassie Carballo, Regina Jurado, Jonna Perdido and Marga Altea against FEU’s solid crew led by Chenie Tagaod, Gerzel Petallo, Jean Asis, Clarisse Loresco and playmaker Tin Ubaldo.
The Lady Tamaraws rolled past Saint Benilde, San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Adamson University in sweeping Pool D.
FEU is fresh from a two-week rest.
On the other hand, the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs try to get back on the winning track after suffering a 30-32, 25-14, 22-25, 25-21, loss to De La Salle University last Sunday.
The defeat was NU’s first in the SSL since 2022, snapping a 28-game winning streak.
The Lady Blazers are coming from a 19-25, 18-25, 23-25, loss at the hands of University of the East last Sunday.
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)
2 p.m. –- UST vs FEU
5 p.m. — CSB vs NU
