Games today:

(University of Southeastern Philippines Gym)

3:30 p.m. — UP vs Notre Dame

of Dadiangas University

6 p.m. — NU vs Davao Selection

DAVAO CITY — Rookies Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan made a strong introduction in powering defending champion National University to a 25-19, 25-13, 25-19 demolition of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Davao Leg opener Friday at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym.

Fresh from helping NU Nazareth School rule the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League two months ago, the duo showcased what they could bring to the table for the Lady Bulldogs.

Cantada, the SGVIL Most Valuable Player, scored four of her seven points in the first set to set the tone for the blowout. She accounted for six of the Lady Bulldogs’ 45 attack points.

On the other hand, the Matina, Davao City pride Daylisan scored all of her six points in the third frame, the only set she saw action for NU, which is rebuilding following the departure of key players led by three-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines MVP Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon after completing a UAAP repeat title last season.

“They played a good game and they showed the things that we wanted to see from them. We’re still making adjustments, but the system is still intact,” Lady Bulldogs assistant coach Alvin Dumalaog said.

Kaye Bombita had 10 points, Arah Panique added eight, Chams Maaya chipped in seven, skipper Vange Alinsug got six points while veteran setter Lams Lamina tallied nine excellent sets for NU.

The Lady Bulldogs broke free from a 3-3 deadlock in the third set with a telling 6-1 run to take a five-point advantage but the General Santos City-based NDDU gave a stiff resistance to remain within striking distance behind the efforts of Ruzzel Barong and Karylle Baclaan.

Cantada and Bombita gave NU a 23-17 lead before the Lady Kingfishers answered with two straight points to close the gap. Bombita finished off NDDU with a hit and a kill block on Rhose Capili.

Barong produced eight points while Baclaan had seven in a losing effort for the Kingfishers.

The Lady Bulldogs will take on a crack Davao Selection, which is still playing University of the Philippines as of press time, on Saturday. NDDU will test the mettle of the Fighting Maroons for its next assignment.