The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate after winning the 2024 Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals, July 16, 2024 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Handout/SSL

MANILA -- Despite missing some key contributors, National University had more than enough firepower to complete a perfect run in the 2024 Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.

The Lady Bulldogs overturned a 1-2 deficit against Far Eastern University in Game 2 of the best-of-3 Finals on Tuesday, pulling off a 25-21, 23-25, 20-25, 25-19, 15-10 comeback at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The reigning UAAP champions got the job done despite playing without injured star Alyssa Solomon for the whole tournament. Sheena Toring and Vange Alinsug also sat out the Finals series against the Lady Tamaraws.

"Honestly sobrang saya na umabot kami sa finals then nag-champion kami. Actually, yung preparation namin dito medyo shaky pa kasi alam naman namin na most of my players galing sa out of the country, sa South Korea, tapos pagbalik dito five days lang kami nag-prepare and then may tournament na kami," NU head coach Norman Miguel.

READ: St. Benilde turns back Letran for bronze in SSL Nat'l Invitationals

They banked on the leadership and scoring prowess of two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player Bella Belen, as NU added the National Invitationals title to its collection following its back-to-back Collegiate Preseason Championship victories -- both in sweeping fashions.

Overall, the Lady Bulldogs went undefeated in all 24 games they played in the three tourneys they participated in the SSL.

"May mga players pa na kailangan naming i-manage ang mga injuries. Yung mga national team players nag-declare lang sila na hanggang may certain days lang sila na makakalaro so di mo alam paano imi-mix and match ang lineup mo. You have to blend yung mga players mo to have exposure but at the same time kailangan mong i-maintain na manalo pa rin," Miguel said of their campaign.

Aside from Belen, National U also got a massive lift from Arah Panique, who torched the Lady Tamaraws for a tournament-high 27 points in Game 2.

Belen and Panique's availability had been uncertain, but they were able to suit up for the Lady Bulldogs after the national team's training camp in Japan was moved to a later date.

"Siguro nag-align din ang mga stars na mapo-postpone 'yung day na pagpunta ng (Alas Pilipinas) sa Japan. So, tumaas 'yung morale ng mga players namin na aabot sila sa finals and pinagtatrabahuhan talaga," said Miguel.

Belen was named 1st Best Outside Spiker with teammates Lams Lamina (Best Setter) and Shaira Jardio (Best Libero) also winning individual recognitions.

Other individual award winners were third placer College of Saint Benilde’s Wewe Estoque (2nd Best Outside Spiker) and Zam Nolasco (1st Best Middle Blocker), Far Eastern University’s Jean Asis (2nd Best Middle Blocker) and Letran’s Judielle Nitura (Best Opposite Hitter).

SSL will return in September for another Collegiate Preseason Championship.