Games Sunday:
(University of Southeastern Philippines Gym)
3:30 p.m. — NDDU vs Davao Selection
5:30 p.m. — NU vs UP
DAVAO CITY — Defending champion National University cruised to a 25-9, 25-12, 25-14, victory over Davao Selection in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Davao Leg Saturday at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym here.
The power-hitting duo of skipper Vange Alinsug and rookie Sam Cantada showed the way in the Lady Bulldogs’ second win in as many outings to move on the cusp of extending their rule in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Alinsug finished with 13 points anchored on 10 attacks, two aces and a kill block for NU.
Cantada, the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Invitational Volleyball League MVP, fired 13 markers coming off eight spikes, three service winners and two kill blocks.
Rookie Harlyn Serneche added eight points, Chams Maaya scored seven while Alexa Mata earned four of her five points from the service area for the Lady Bulldogs.
NU dominated the Davaoenas right from the opening serve as it primed up for an explosive showdown against the also undefeated University of the Philippines in the final playdate of the round robin format on Sunday.
“Magandang exposure para sa mga bago naming players ito. Marami kaming natutunan and naayos na posisyon,” said Lady Bulldogs assistant coach Alvin Dumalaog.
NU and UP, which swept Notre Dame of Dadiangas University earlier, will duke it out for all the marbles starting at 5:30 p.m.
“Excited kami kasi parang pre-UAAP na namin yun. Mas maganda na nandito na rin si coach Sherwin (Meneses). We’ll do our best. Pinaghadaan namin din ito ng ilang linggo. Nag-prepare naman kaming lahat,” Dumalaog added.
The Davao Selection committed 16 errors and allowed the Lady Bulldogs to land 11 aces as the host team absorbed its second straight defeat in the tournament, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Izabelle Andal had six points, Angelica Ordinaria scored four, while Emy Taguiran finished with two for the Davao Selection.
Games are available live and on-demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
