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 Sport 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 Girl 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.
Article continues after this commercial
NU tries to comb La Salle in Sport 2 on Sunday, searching for to finish a ‘three-peat’ and sweep the 2024 season after ruling the Nationwide Invitationals final July
READ: Bulldogs, Girl 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 relationship again to the inaugural season in 2022.
Article continues after this commercial
“After all, it is a championship, so La Salle will actually struggle as a result of they’re a champion staff as properly. The break went in our favor within the third set, so we’re grateful that we received Sport 1,” mentioned NU coach Sherwin Meneses, who’s aiming for his first title with the Girl Bulldogs.
“We’ll overview our lapses rigorously to attenuate our errors for Sport 2, however we’re blissful to have secured the win.”
Within the rematch of the 2022 preseason finals and UAAP Seasons 84 and 85 championships, the Girl Bulldogs dominated the primary two units in opposition to the Girl Spikers,.
Nonetheless, final yr’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 a vital 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 Girl Bulldogs however Laput delivered back-to-back kills to regain the lead for the Girl Spikers. Nonetheless, her second kill was dominated exterior 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 seen that our staff received a bit complacent and relaxed throughout that point, particularly after we had an enormous lead within the third set. Instantly, La Salle took benefit of our leisure. However after that, we reminded one another that we have to preserve pushing as a result of La Salle wasn’t letting up,” mentioned 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 Sport after offering sensible playmaking for the Girl 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 only eight factors, scoring 5 of them within the third body.
The Girl Spikers hope to win Sport 2 to power a decider subsequent week.