DLSU, UST seal semis showdown in SSL

DE La Salle University (DLSU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) forged a highly anticipated semifinal duel, coming away with contrasting wins in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals knockout quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Spikers hardly broke a sweat against Mindanao bet Jose Maria College Foundation, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19, as the Golden Tigresses needed four sets to fend off Luzon qualifier and NAASCU champion Enderun Colleges, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 25-14.

UST’s Xyza Gula attacks against an Enderun player during the 2023 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals knockout quarterfinals on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan. SSL PHOTO 

La Salle and UST collide on Friday in the first Final Four pairing, three months after their semis battle in the UAAP Season 85 eventually won by the spikers from Taft.

Proving that they’re the UAAP champions for a glaring reason, the Lady Spikers just would not be stopped even in the SSL featuring champions from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao with yet another sweep in 67 minutes.

The twin towers of Shevana Laput and Thea Gagate once again ran roughshod both on offense and defense to lead La Salle’s third easy win in a row without a single set yielded in the 12-team SSL presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as office transport provider, and in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education.

“We have a lot of things to fix heading into the semis,” said deputy mentor Noel Orcullo, who believed his wards have more to offer despite equally big wins against University of the Perpetual Help System Dalta and Cesafi runner-up University of Southern Philippines Foundation in Pool A play.

Later, Angeline Poyos pumped in 18 points on 12 attacks, two blocks and four aces as UST recovered in time to buck a scare from Enderun, which banked on a 12-5 start to snatch a 21-25 win in the fourth set.

Regina Jurado and Athena Abbu added 10 and nine points, respectively, with Xyza Gula, Jonna Perdido and Maribeth Hilongo chipping in eight points each in the match that lasted one hour and 36 minutes.

It’s the first set allowed by UST after blanking La Salle-Dasmariñas and Cesafi champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), but should serve handy in a bid to stun powerhouse La Salle in the semis of SSL also backed by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Summit Bottled Water, Genius Sports, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, and R&B Tea.

Adamson and USJ-R as well as College of St. Benilde and Perpetual are still duking it out as of press time to complete the Final Four cast.