By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs retained their Shakey’s Super League (SSL) crown after a 25-17, 15-25, 25-20, 25-20 victory over the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in Game 2 of the finals at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Saturday night, November 11.
Mhicaela Belen, the First Best Outside Hitter, delivered when it mattered the most with 17 points — all on attacks — including seven from the Lady Bulldogs’ last 10 points to complete a comeback in the fourth set.
“Masaya kami kasi nakamit namin ‘yung goal namin na back-to-back championship,” Belen said.
“Mahirap, pero sabi nga nila, mas mahirap, mas masaya. ‘Yung UST, talagang pinahirapan kami in this series,” she added.
Save for a second-set defeat, the Lady Bulldogs were the dominant squad in the other sets as they repeatedly hammered on the defense of the Golden Tigresses to complete a sweep of the tournament.
“Naniniwala kasi kami na hangga’t hindi pa umaabot ng 25 points ‘yung kalaban o hindi pa tapos ang laban, hangga’t kaya naming bumawi, hangga’t kaya naming humabol, lalaban kami,” Belen said.
Evangeline Alinsug chipped in 15 points, while Alyssa Solomon, the back-to-back SSL Season MVP and Best Opposite Spiker, dropped 14 points on 10 hits, three blocks and an ace for NU.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel said they adjusted their blocking in Game 2 after their defense was pestered by powerful hits from the Golden Tigresses in Game 1 last November 10.
“It’s all about the blocking, kasi kapag hindi kami maka-establish ng magandang blocking position, dire-diretso ‘yung points ng UST. Du’n kami sa blocking nag-focus,” Miguel said.
Xyza Gula had 18 points while rookie Angeline Poyos and Regina Jurado added 11 and 10 points in the Golden Tigresses’ runner-up finish this time, after placing fourth last season.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws claimed the bronze medal after defeating the Adamson University Lady Falcons in Game 2 of the battle-for-bronze series, 25-18, 16-25, 25-15, 21-25, and 15-7./ASC, WDJ