Lady Spikers rout Lady Altas in SSL National Invitationals opener

UAAP champion La Salle stamped its class over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta while Enderun Colleges drubbed Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, both in straight sets, to open the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals in style on Saturday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The La Salle Lady Spikers SSL PHOTO 

The Lady Spikers, albeit without UAAP Rookie-MVP Angel Canino, ran away with a 25-11, 25-17, 25-12 win over the Lady Altas to go 1-0 in Pool A as the Lady Titans blanked the Kingfishers, 27-25, 25-22, 25-14, for a 1-0 slate in Pool D.

Installed as the heavy title favorite in SSL even without multiple key players including Canino and libero Justine Jazareno, La Salle wasted no time proving that stature behind a searing 25-11 start in the easy match that lasted only 81 minutes.

UAAP’s Best Middle Blocker Thea Gagate fired 12 points on eight hits and four blocks to show the way in La Salle’s statement win to fire off the national joust presented by Eurotel as official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider, and in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Amie Provido added the same output as Alleiah Malaluan and Shevana Laput chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, for La Salle that also ruled the last year’s Collegiate Pre-Season Championship of SSL backed by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports,Summit Bottled Water, Genius Sports, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea.

Earlier, Althea Virnyce Botor and Erika Jin Deloria conspired with 17 and 16 points, respectively as Luzon qualifier Enderun came away with an equally impressive win over NDDU from General Santos City in 83 minutes of play.

“This is the first time we played in this kind of atmosphere. Slow start but luckily, we won. The girls played their hearts out lalo na ‘nung kailangan na namin ng puntos,” said Enderun coach Ariel Dela Cruz.

Andrea Sendico put up 10 points for NDDU while NCAA MVP Mary Rhose Dapol was the only bright spot for Perpetual with eight points.

Meanwhile, all 12 teams featuring bets from NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were introduced in a simple opening ceremony and parade led by ACES president Dr. Ian Laurel, Shakey’s general manager Jorge Concepcion and CHED official Ana Dulce Yango.

All SSL matches are accessible across all platforms live and on-demand with Plus Network Digital Media Services, CNN Philippines, Solar Sports Entertainment and TAP Sports serving as media partners.

The historic National Invitationals, with support from Boy Tuikinhoy of Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc., Alex Adeva of Northern Mindanao Volleyball Association of Coaches and Referees and San Juan Red Cross chapter, are also showing live in all Shakey’s branches nationwide.