MANILA, Philippines — National University opened the post-Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon era with a rousing 25-19, 25-13, 25-19 sweep of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals on Friday at University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.

The Lady Bulldogs jumpstarted their title-retention bid in the Davao Leg opener behind rookie Sam Cantada, who led the Nazareth School to a Girls Volleyball Invitational League two months ago, showing that the Lady Bulldogs are in good hands.

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The UAAP and Shakey’s girls’ MVP contributed to NU’s collective effort with seven points in two sets played to win the first of their three matches in the Davao leg.

New faces also stepped up for NU with Kaye Bombita leading the way with 10 points. Arah Panique delivered eight points. Chams Maaya also scored seven. Cantada’s teammate Denesse Daylisan made an impressive Davao homecoming with six points, while skipper Vange Alinsug also had six.

Setter Lams Lamina tallied nine excellent sets ahead of NU’s next game against the Davao Selection. 

“It was a good game, and the things we expected to see did come out. The adjustments were necessary since we just came back, but the team’s chemistry is still intact,” said Lady Bulldogs assistant coach Alvin Dumalaog in Filipino.

Ruzzel Barong and Karylle Baclaan led NDDU with eight and seven points, respectively.

Casiey Dongallo shines in UP debut

UP Fighting Maroons’ Casiey Dongallo during a Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals game in Davao. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Meanwhile, transferee Casiey Dongallo made an impressive 15-point debut for the University of the Philippines to dominate the Davao Selection, 25-11, 25-13, 25-15.

Dongallo, one of the transferees from the University of the East, restored the order when they trailed in the third set, where she scored seven.

The Fighting Maroons still banked on their old reliables with Kianne Olango pouring in 12 points, while Niña Ytang added 11.

“When we start changing players, of course, it’s not the same type of (chemistry) inside. We’ve only done ball only for one month so not all 14 players are the same level right now. It changes the tempo. Changing the setter started forcing too many (errors) and gave courage to the other team,” said UP coach Fabio Menta, citing his team’s 25 errors.

“I just reminded them of what our rules are and then they went back to court. Of course, sometimes I have to show different faces so they get scared. Nothing serious. But I saw mistakes we are not supposed to make,” Menta quipped.

Elysha Cabingatan led the Davao Selection with four points. Izabelle Andal, Rika Sasaki, Rizza Salvanera, Angelica Ordinaria and Kyle Esteves combined for 10 points for the host squad composed of players from Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College and University of Mindanao.

UP eyes its second win against the NDDU before facing NU on Sunday.