Defending champion National University (NU) triumphed over Davao Selection with a decisive score of 25-9, 25-12, 25-14 on Saturday night, securing their second win in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals held at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
Team captain Evangeline Alinsug led the Lady Bulldogs with 13 points, comprising 10 attacks, two aces, and one block. Rookie sensation Samantha Cantada, the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Invitational Volleyball League MVP, also contributed 13 points, including eight attacks, three service winners, and two blocks. Freshman Harlyn Serneche added eight points, while Minierva Maaya and Alexa Nicole Mata chipped in seven and five points, respectively, with Mata delivering four aces.
“This is good exposure for our new players. We learned a lot and fixed positions,” said NU assistant coach Alvin Dumalaog, expressing excitement for their upcoming match against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. “We’re excited because it’s like pre-UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines). It’s even better that coach Sherwin (Meneses) is here. We prepared for this tournament. We’ll do our best,” he added.
For Davao Selection, Izabelle Andal scored six points, while Angelica Ordinaria contributed four points as the team faced its second loss.
In another match, UP secured its second win by defeating Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU) with scores of 25-16, 27-25, 25-12. Niña Ytang led UP with 13 points, including eight attacks, three aces, and two blocks. Ytang played a crucial role in the second set, scoring seven points during a 7-0 run that helped UP overcome an 8-15 deficit.
UP head coach Fabio Menta praised Ytang’s growth, stating, “Niña’s growing so much. Even physically she’s fitter than before, she’s jumping more. I think she’s starting to understand her potential value.” He added, “She’s listening and she’s doing so greatly.”
Jelai Gajero also contributed 13 points for UP, while Casiey Dongallo and Irah Jabobeta scored eight points each. Menta commented on their upcoming match against NU, saying, “We’re not the favorites, meaning we just got started and they are the champions. So, it’s gonna be interesting for us to see how mature we are in dealing with heavy pressure from the opponents.”
For the Lady Kingfishers, siblings Kate and Kaye Lopez finished with eight and six points, respectively, while Rhose Capili added five points.
