COLLEGE of Saint Benilde and Ateneo de Manila University square off in an interesting battle for fifth in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. After emerging victorious in the first phase of the classification round, the Lady Blazers and Blue Eagles clash at 6 p.m. to salvage some pride and end their campaign on a winning note.
Meanwhile, University of the East and University of the Philippines meet at 3:30 p.m. to dispute seventh place in the 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.
Saint Benilde, the lone NCAA team to advance into the playoffs, looks to add Ateneo to the list of its UAAP victims after beating Adamson University in the first round and sweeping UP, 25-19, 25-14, 25-20, in the classification round opener last November 6.
“Lagi naman kaming may chance every game. Every game gusto lang namin na maging maayos ang game namin and lalaban lang kami as much as possible,” Lady Blazers veteran winger Mycah Go said.
The reigning three-peat NCAA champion will also bank on Clydel Catarig, Zamantha Nolasco, Mary Grace Borromeo and heady playmaker Chenae Basarte to score an upset over the fancied Blue Eagles.
Ateneo, on the other hand, defeated the Lady Warriors, 25-21, 25-17, 25-22, last week in the first classification round pairing of the SSL’s centerpiece 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.
Geezel Tsunashima and Lyann De Guzman led the way in the Blue Eagles’ quick work of UE for a chance to replicate their finish in the inaugural edition two years ago.
“Laging sinasabi ni coach (Sergio Veloso) na gawin lang namin ang best namin and be aggressive inside the court,” Ateneo setter Taks Fujimoto said.
“Throughout this pre-season we’ll improve until the UAAP season.”
The best-of-three finals between three-peat-seeking National University and De La Salle University will unfold on November 22.
University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University figure in a winner-take-all battle for bronze.
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 Saturday
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
3:30 p.m. –- UE vs UP
(classification 7th to 8th)
6 p.m. — Ateneo vs CSB
(classification 5th to 6th)
