As predicted, National University rules Super League

MANILA, Philippines — It was a foregone conclusion that National University would emerge on top the moment it gave its nod to see action in the Shakey’s Super League Pre-Season Championship months back.

It was just a matter of time.

And the inevitable came yesterday as the Lady Bulldogs lived up to their mighty billing and handed an old, familiar prey in the La Salle Lady Spikers a 25-23, 25-20, 25-19 blow yesterday for a sweet title sweep in the SSL’s inaugural conference.

After the battle ended, the emphatic result was NU’s way of stressing to the sizeable weekend crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum why it is the undisputed queen of Philippine collegiate volleyball.

It wasn’t like La Salle, which outlasted Adamson, 25-16, 18-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-8, in the semis last Nov. 11, quietly faded into the night.

They didn’t.

In fact, the Lady Spikers did put up some serious challenge only to implode in the end against the seasoned Lady Bulldogs, who never really blinked under tremendous pressure.

The magnificent UAAP champion also faced rough sailing in the semis when it ran into a stubborn University Santo Tomas but relied on its resiliency and grit in taking the 25-23, 23-25, 25-21, 25-17 win that sealed its place in the one-game finale.

La Salle had a chance to snatch a set when it took a 17-15 lead.

But it was just a momentary feeling of bliss that was turned into melancholy when NU struck back hard and strung together a flurry of unanswered hits that left La Salle, which scored just three points since, crashing back to earth.

After Alyssa Solomon, who shone the brightest on this game with 10 hits, dealt the final blow with a soft dink to an empty space up front, graffiti fell from the rafters and triggered a wild celebration by the victorious Lady Bulldogs on the court.

“We relied on each other and played as a team. It was a memorable win for us,” said the tall, long-limbed Solomon.

Earlier, Adamson edged UST, 25-27, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22, 15-11, to clinch third place.