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.
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.
“This is a good exposure for our new players. We've learned a lot and made the necessary adjustments in each position,” 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.
“We're excited because this will serve as our pre-UAAP match. It's better now that coach Sherwin (Meneses) will be here to call the shots. We’ll do our best. We've been preparing for this,” 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.
Izabelle Andal had six points, Angelica Ordinaria scored four, while Emy Taguiran finished with two for the Davao Selection.