NU's Alyssa Solomon in action against FEU in the 2024 Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship, November 9, 2024 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/SSLMANILA -- National University kept its title defense alive with a four-set win over Far Eastern University in the 2024 Shakey's Super League League Collegiate Pre-season Championship, Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Lady Bulldogs knocked off the Lady Tamaraws in four sets, 25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 25-22, to secure their seat in the finals of the tournament.

There, they will play the De La Salle Lady Spikers in a best-of-3 affair to determine the champions. Game 1 is on November 22.

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Veteran opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon finished off the Lady Tamaraws as she scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the fourth set -- including three of National U's last four points.

"Actually, [with this match] gusto ko lang ibawi ‘yong sarili ko kasi parang slow start ako," said Solomon.

The Lady Bulldogs dominated early, building a 7-1 lead with powerful attacks from Vange Alinsug and Bella Belen. They extended their lead to 21-15 backstopped by the strong kills from Erin Pangilinan and Solomon.

Veteran wing spiker Belen came up with another stellar performance in the first set, breaking the string with a kill that sealed a 25-16 win.

After a strong opening of the match, NU lost the tightly contested second set that sparked a six-point run bringing them to 17-23. Karylle Miranda and Jean Asis fought back with their blocking efforts for the Lady Tamaraws and claimed Set 2 over the Lady Bulldogs, 25-19.

The Lady Bulldogs regained the advantage in the third set as Solomon and Alinsug were back at it, this time with strong offensive contributions.

After Alinsug again claimed set point with a sharp, down-the-line hit, Solomon finally put an end to the match with her powerful attack, winning 3-1. 

Gerzel Petallo was the lone FEU player in double figures with 12 points coming off 10 spikes, one kill block and one ace while Asis had eight markers. Faida Bakanke and Clarisse Loresco finished with six points each.

The Lady Tamaraws shoot to salvage a bronze medal repeat against University of Santo Tomas in the one-game battle for third.

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