6 days Ago
Game on Friday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum) 6:30 p.m. – La Salle vs NU (championship) ATENEO drubbed NCAA champion St.
Benilde, 26-24, 25-16, 21-25, 25-23, to salvage fifth place in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship over the weekend at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Seasoned spiker Lyann de Guzman fired 20 points on 19 hits and an ace to lead the Blue Eagles, who are seeking redemption in UAAP Season 87 volleyball early next year. She drew ample support from AC Miner and Geezel Tsunashima with 13 and nine points, respectively.
Ms. Tsunashima scored two in the fourth set with back-to-back kills to fend off the Lady Blazers’ attempt to force a deciding fifth set. “ Sabi ko sa kanila ‘wag masyadong relax kasi nakikita ko na hindi ito ‘yung laro namin kapag nagti-training kami.
Sabi ko lang ilaban lang nila, nandito kami magtutulungan para sa isa’t isa ,” said Ms. De Guzman. Ateneo, which swept the University of the East (UE) in the first phase of the classification rounds, replicated its best finish in the SSL in the inaugural edition in 2022.
Clydel Catarig (14), Zamantha Nolasco (11) and Mary Grace Borromeo (10) showed the way for St. Benilde en route to a gallant sixth-place finish as the only NCAA team in the SSL playoffs. Meanwhile, UE secured the seventh spot with a 25-20, 25-22, 26-24 win over the University of the Philippines behind the potent trio of Jelai Gajero, Casiey Dongallo and KC Cepada.
Ms. Gajero had 17 points while Mses. Dongallo and Cepada added 16 and 14 points, respectively, to best the Maroons, who placed eight, led by Niña Ytang with nine points as well as Kassandra Doering and Kyrzten Cabasac with eight points each.
With the rankings below already settled, all eyes will now be on fierce rivals National U, the back-to-back champion, and unbeaten La Salle in the best-of-three finals starting Friday. — John Bryan Ulanday.
