National University stayed perfect after cruising past University of the Philippines, 25-21, 25-16, 25-20, in the second round of the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum Sunday night.
The veteran trio of Bella Belen, Sheena Toring, and team captain Ces Robles did most of the damage for the Lady Bulldogs, who improved their carryover win-loss record to 2-0, putting them in a good position to clinch the crossover quarterfinals top seed in Pool E.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University escaped a feisty University of Perpetual Help, 25-21, 26-24, 26-24, for a 1-1 carryover record also in Pool E.
Alexis Miner led three other Blue Eagles in double figures with 15 points. Lyann De Guzman had 13 markers while Faith Nisperos and Vannie Gandler had 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Lady Altas, who got 15 points from Shaira Omipon in a lost cause, dropped to a 0-2 slate.
NU extended their winning run to four straight following a clean sweep of the group stage.
The reigning UAAP champions relied on their seasoned players to ward off the Fighting Maroons, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped.
“As team captain I tried to lead the team by example,” said Robles, who had six points all coming off timely hits that repelled UP’s attempts to mount a significant rally.
“We were a bit tentative in the opening set. Coach Karl (Dimaculangan) just told us to stick with our game plan and execute what we prepared for in training and we just did what we were supposed to do,” she added.
Belen, the UAAP Season 84 Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player, and Toring had eight markers each while Erin Pangilinan had seven points for the Lady Bulldogs, who will take on Perpetual on November 5 in the resumption of their postponed match last Saturday due to inclement weather brought about by severe tropical storm “Paeng”.
UP tied Ateneo with a 1-1 card but slid to third spot with just two points compared to three points earned by the Blue Eagles.
Jewel Encarnacion finished with eight points to pace the Fighting Maroons, who will face Ateneo on Saturday to determine their final ranking heading into the knockout quarterfinals scheduled on Sunday.
The Final Four is slated on November 11 while the winner-take-all championship match is set on November 19.