Games today:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

2 p.m. --- CSB vs Letran

4 p.m. --- NU vs FEU

A composed National University outlasted Far Eastern University in a battle of nerves to draw first blood, 25-22, 18-25, 25-19, 18-25, 15-13, in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals best-of-three finals series Monday night, July 15, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Veterans Bella Belen and Erin Pangilinan rallied the Lady Bulldogs back from two points down early in the fifth set before Alexa Mata and Myrtle Escanlar put on the finishing touches to push NU closer to annexing another crown after ruling the first two editions of the Collegiate Preseason Championship.

Belen had a 26-point explosion anchored on 24 kills and two kill blocks for NU, which can claim the title in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Team Rebel Sports and Mikasa in Game 2 on Tuesday.

Arah Panique added 15 points, Pagilinan chipped in 14 markers while Escanlar added 13 points including the game-winning offspeed hit for the reigning UAAP champion.

“I’m very happy na despite wala si Ate Sheena (Toring), Ate Aly (Solomon) and Vange (Alinsug) and other teammates ko na 'di nakapaglaro, may mga rookies and mga teammates ko na talagang nag-step up na tinulungan 'yung team para manalo today,” Belen said. 

FEU carried the momentum of their dominating fourth set to take a 7-5 lead in the fifth frame but Belen and Pangilnan sparked a 4-0 counterattack to push NU in front.

The Lady Tamaraws knotted the count at 12 before Mata scored two straight points as the Lady Bulldogs reached match point. FEU saved a match point when Belen sent her pipe attack straight to the net but Escanlar cleaned it up with a soft touch in the next play.  

Jean Asis had 23 points to pace the Lady Tamaraws. Chenie Tagaod had 19 points while Gerzel Petallo and Jazzlyn Ellarina posted 11 and 10 points, respectively, for FEU.  

Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde fought back from a set down to frustrate Letran, 21-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-17, and own Game 1 of the best-of-three battle for bronze.

The Lady Blazers shook off a rusty start before finding their groove to reassert their mastery over the same rival they defeated in the group stage.

CSB can close the series with another win over its NCAA Season 99 finals victim on Tuesday.

Opposite spiker Clydel Catarig scattered 22 points on an efficient 22-of-52 spiking clip to lead the Lady Blazers, who took advantage of the Lady Knights’ 27 errors to bounce back from a painful straight-sets loss to Far Eastern University in the knockout semifinal on Sunday.

Welyn Estoque added 15 points off nine kills, three kill blocks and three aces while Rhea Densing added 12 markers with 11 coming for spikes for CSB.

The Lady Blazers took control of the match after regrouping in the second set.

Smelling blood after a dominating third frame, CSB raced to an early lead in the fourth frame that ballooned to 11 after Jessa Dorog pound a kill that pushed the Lady Blazers at match point, 24-13.             

Back-to-back CSB errors followed by consecutive hits by Gia Maquilang kept Letran in the game before Dorog halted the Lady Knights’ run with a finishing crosscourt hit.

Maquilang finished with 19 points to lead the Lady Knights. Judiel Nitura had 12 markers while Lea Tapang scored eight in a losing effort for Letran.

Games in the SSL National Invitationals, organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc., are available via livestream on Smart Livestream and Puso Pilipinas and Solar Sports (cable).