NATIONAL University (NU) flaunted its might with a masterful 25-14, 25-6, 25-12, dismantling of Jose Rizal University (JRU) Sunday in the Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs started out flat in their first game in Pool C before quickly shifting to full gear by displaying the same tenacity and aggressiveness that keyed their unbeaten championship run in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
NU uncorked a 10-1 barrage to close the opening set and rattle the Lady Bombers who managed to breath down the Lady Bulldogs’ necks, 15-13.
The towering Lady Bulldogs bullied their way to the emphatic sweep from there.
“We were a bit rusty coming off a one-week vacation and we just got back to training a week ago. We are still far from our competitive form but at it is a good thing we’re now back to our usual grind,” NU Coach Karl Dimaculangan said.
Team captain Cess Robles pounded the defense of JRU with 11 points in just a set of action while Minierva Maaya added 10 points for the Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Bombers slid to 0-2 card. Sydney Niegos and May Ruiz scored six each for JRU.
De La Salle University, meanwhile, inched closer to securing a seat in the next round after coming back from a set down to score a 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19, win over reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champion College of St. Benilde in Pool D late Saturday.
Veterans Jolina Dela Cruz, Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz pumped in 13 points each to carry the Lady Spikers to their second straight win while booting out the Lady Blazers in the quarterfinals race.
University of the East (UE), on the other hand, boosted its chances of advancing to the next round after crushing San Beda University, 25-8, 25-20, 22-25, 25-19, for a 2-1 record in Pool A.