MANILA – Defending champion National University (NU) will try to keep its form against College of Saint Benilde (CSB) in Pool E of the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup Round of 8 at the Imus in Sports Complex in Cavite on Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs, sporting a 4-0 record in the elimination round, will meet the Lady Blazers at 3 p.m.
For NU head coach Norman Miguel, roster depth and bench contribution are crucial given the tournament’s unique all-to-play format.
“With the all-to-play ang format, having your other players stepping up on their game is of huge importance because not all the time our senior players will play their A-game, and if you have your second team playing competitively as well, it’s a huge advantage for us,” Miguel said in a news release on Saturday.
CSB, which won two of its three matches in the opening round, is one of the only two NCAA teams to advance in the playoffs.
“Having this chance and opportunity to play against UAAP teams, that’s a big thing for us,” said Lady Blazers captain and main setter Zen Basilio.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines takes on reigning NCAA champion Letran at 11 a.m. in the Pool F curtain-raiser.
The Fighting Maroons won all three elimination games, while the Lady Knights secured their Round of 8 berth by winning three of their four assignments in the first stage of pool play.
Undefeated University of Santo Tomas battles Ateneo de Manila University at 1 p.m. in Pool F.
The Golden Tigresses, last year’s runner-up, topped their pool in the eliminations after winning three matches, while the Blue Eagles punched their playoffs ticket by eliminating San Sebastian College-Recoletos in a four-set decision last week.
Far Eastern University and Adamson University clash at 5 p.m. in Pool E.
The Lady Tamaraws (3-0) defeated the Lady Falcons to secure the bronze medal last year.
Teams in each group play in a single-round robin format, with the top two teams in each group securing quarters incentives.
