NATIONAL University hopes its historic grand slam run in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League will translate into a second straight title conquest in the UAAP early next year.
Led by Alas Pilipinas standouts Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon and under a new decorated coach, Sherwin Meneses, the Lady Bulldogs capped a banner year with a three-peat in the Collegiate Pre-season Championship.
Flexing its signature firepower, grit, and swag, the battle-hardened NU squad completed a best-of-three finals series sweep of De La Salle University with a 23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20, Game 2 victory Sunday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to reign supreme in the league’s centerpiece tournament supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, GCash, Chery Tiggo, F2 Logistics, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, R and B Milk Tea, Grab Philippines, and Summit Water.
“Siyempre sobrang excited din ako na nanalo kami. Malaking tulong talaga ‘to sa preparation for UAAP. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung goal kaya sumali kami dito,” said the multi-titled tactician.
Meneses, who will make his UAAP return after his last stint with Adamson University back in 2016, took over the coaching reins from Norman Miguel following the Lady Bulldogs’ first-ever National Invitationals championship last July.
Solomon and Most Valuable Player winner Belen showed the way in rallying NU back from an opening set setback to once again beat UAAP archrival Lady Spikers in an SSL titular showdown since its sweeping victory in the one-game championship of the inaugural edition two years ago.
The Lady Bulldogs took Game 1 in a clinical dismantling of La Salle in straight sets last Friday.
“I’m very happy kasi nakamit namin yung goal namin for Shakey’s kasi isa rin na to para magiging stepping stone namin, preparation namin for the upcoming UAAP Season,” said Belen, who had 15 points to back Solomon’s 19-point explosion in Game 2.
“Kaya ayun, I’m very happy na nagawa ng team kung ano yung dapat gawin. Kaya ayun, sumunod lang ‘yung pagkapanalo.”
It was a sweet statement win for NU after the Lady Spikers halted the Lady Bulldogs’ 28-game winning streak — an unbeaten run that spanned four tournaments starting in 2022 –- with a four-set triumph in the second round.
NU got the last laugh as it ended La Salle’s campaign with back-to-back losses after racking up eight wins in a row heading into the much-anticipated finale between two powerhouse squads in 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.
The Lady Bulldogs are now looking to build on their preseason momentum as they aim for a UAAP repeat title.
“Siguro yung motivation lang namin is parang to move forward, to aim higher pa sa mga sa susunod na laro. Lalo na ‘yung UAAP, siya ‘yung big league for college. ‘Yun talaga yung league ng lahat. Kahit kami, okay looking forward kami maglaro sa UAAP kasi alam namin lahat ng teams aangat pa, marami pa silang ii-improve,” said Belen, who also bagged the 1st Best Open Spiker recognition.
“Hindi kami magpapatalo, hindi kami magpapahuli, magi-improve at magi-improve pa kami.”
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.
