NU turns again La Salle, nears 3-peat

NU Woman Bulldogs rejoice their Recreation 1 win over La Salle Woman Spikers within the 2024 Shakey’s Tremendous League Collegiate Pre-season Championship. –AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — Nationwide College picked the right time to dent La Salle’s unbeaten armor with a 25-16, 25-12, 27-25 triumph in Recreation 1 of the best-of-three title sequence within the 2024 Shakey’s Tremendous League Collegiate Pre-season Championship on Friday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Woman Bulldogs turned to the deadly tandem of Alyssa Solomon and Bella Belen to inch a win nearer to their third straight SSL Pre-season Championship.

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NU tries to brush La Salle in Recreation 2 on Sunday, searching for to finish a ‘three-peat’ and sweep the 2024 season after ruling the Nationwide Invitationals final July

READ: Bulldogs, Woman Spikers renew bitter feud for preseason crown

Reigning two-time MVP Solomon led the cost with 14 factors, whereas Belen added 10 factors in two units performed as NU bounced again from a four-set loss to La Salle that ended its 28-game unbeaten run courting again to the inaugural season in 2022.

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“In fact, this can be a championship, so La Salle will actually struggle as a result of they’re a champion workforce as properly. The break went in our favor within the third set, so we’re grateful that we acquired Recreation 1,” stated NU coach Sherwin Meneses, who’s aiming for his first title with the Woman Bulldogs.

NU Woman Bulldogs’ Alyssa Solomon within the 2024 Shakey’s Tremendous League Collegiate Pre-season Championship. –AUGUST DELA CRUZ/INQUIRER

“We’ll assessment our lapses rigorously to reduce our errors for Recreation 2, however we’re pleased to have secured the win.”

Within the rematch of the 2022 preseason finals and UAAP Seasons 84 and 85 championships, the Woman Bulldogs dominated the primary two units towards the Woman Spikers,.

Nonetheless, final 12 months’s Nationwide Invitationals champion La Salle pushed its rival to its limits within the third set combating again from a 7-14 deficit with Shevana Laput and Angel Canino forcing a tie at 22-all.

READ: Shakey’s Tremendous League: La Salle stands in the best way of NU’s 3-peat bid

Aleiah Malaluan dedicated an important service error that introduced again NU forward however Canino drilled a through-the-block kill adopted by Lilay Del Castillo’s spike off a floating ball for the match level, 24-23.

Solomon saved a degree for the Woman Bulldogs however Laput delivered back-to-back kills to regain the lead for the Woman Spikers. Nonetheless, her second kill was dominated outdoors after a referee’s video problem, reversing the decision that put NU at match level, 26-25.

Vange Alinsug delivered the game-winning off-speed to finish the sport in an hour and 46 minutes.

“I observed that our workforce acquired a bit complacent and relaxed throughout that point, particularly after we had an enormous lead within the third set. Out of the blue, La Salle took benefit of our leisure. However after that, we reminded one another that we have to hold pushing as a result of La Salle wasn’t letting up,” stated Solomon.

The reigning UAAP champions’ second unit stepped as much as set the tone of one other lopsided body earlier than Solomon mounted a 20-10 unfold and by no means appeared again for a commanding 2-0 lead.

Alinsug completed with seven factors, whereas setter Lams Lamina emerged because the Participant of the Recreation after offering sensible playmaking for the Woman Bulldogs.

Laput was the lone double-digit scorer for La Salle with 12 factors off 10 kills, one block, and an ace. Canino was restricted to simply eight factors, scoring 5 of them within the third body.

The Woman Spikers hope to win Recreation 2 to drive a decider subsequent week.