NO Belen, no Solomon, no problem — at least in this preseason.
National University clinched its fourth straight title in as many editions of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup, overpowering University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23, 15-10, in Game 2 of the finals on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs went a perfect 10-for-10 in the tournament, kicking off not just life without Belen and Solomon, but also the Regine Diego era at the helm.
NU’s five-set comeback was powered by the lethal one-two punch of rookie Sam Cantada and Vange Alinsug, emerging as the new faces of the Lady Bulldogs’ offense in the absence of MVPs Belen and Solomon.
Cantada put on a show for the Lady Bulldogs with 24 points built on 20 attacks, two blocks and two aces.
Newly-minted team captain Alinsug added 19 points (three in Set 5), including 13 attacks, three blocks and three aces.
“We’re happy kasi nag-champion kami. Congrats din sa UST because they’ve been playing well, malakas din talaga sila. Na-gauge namin yung kaya naming gawin pa,” debuting NU head coach Regine Diego said.
“Hopefully, you get to see more of us in the future. Hopefully, we can defend our title not just here but also in the UAAP."
Graduating senior Lams Lamina copped both best setter and tournament MVP plums, the first to do so in the league's four-year run.
First best middle blocker Chams Maaya added seven points, backed on floor defense by best libero Shaira Jardio.
Still came out strong
Sans star spiker Angge Poyos, second best outside hitter Xyza Gula stepped up in a big way, returning from a one-year injury layoff to deliver a team-high 16 points on 15 attacks and a block.
Best opposite hitter Reg Jurado backed her up with 12 attack points, while second Best Middle Blocker Marga Altea added 11 markers.
Rounding out the podium was Far Eastern University, which routed Adamson in four sets, 25-22, 17-25, 25-19, 25-20, in the winner-take-all battle for third earlier in the day.
A trio of 12-point performances from Faida Bakanke, Alyzza Devosora, and Jaz Ellarina powered the Lady Tamaraws to their third straight bronze in the preseason meet.
First best outside hitter Shaina Nitura tallied 18 points in the loss, but her heroics weren’t enough to overcome an error-plagued showing by the Lady Falcons, who handed over 31 free points to their Morayta counterparts.
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