Defending champion National University secured a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage after a swift, 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 crushing of Ateneo de Manila University in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup second round on Wednesday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
The four-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs flexed their firepower to overwhelm the struggling Blue Eagles despite a rusty opening set for a 3-0 win-loss finish in Pool E.
NU, still unbeaten after six games overall in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea, will face in the crossover quarters the fourth-ranked squad in Pool F.
Chams Maaya and Josline Salazar spearheaded the Lady Bulldogs’ assault with 10 points each and combined for 14 of the team’s 37 attack points.
“Ang motivation naming lahat ay dapat maganda ang performance and all out kami kasi if ever may two days kaming pahinga. Pahinga talaga ang kailangan namin ngayon kaya all out talaga kami as a team ngayon,” Maaya said.
However, NU had a hard time shaking off Ateneo and even trailed, 21-22, in the opening set. Maaya took matters into her own hands as she uncorked three points in the Lady Bulldogs’ 4-0 closing rally to salvage the frame.
NU found its rhythm from there and sent the Blue Eagles reeling to a 0-2 card in the round and a four-game losing skid overall.
“Nu’ng first set medyo shaky kami. Nung (second) set na ‘yun doon talaga namin inaayos ‘yung mga pagkukulang namin,” Maaya said.
Ana Hermosura had eight points while Dona De Leon scored six for Ateneo, which gave NU 26 free points from its errors.
Meanwhile, Shaina Nitura returned after a two-game rest and dropped 22 points to power Adamson University past University of the Philippines, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, to grab the other quarters incentive in Pool E.
Nitura got 21 of her points from kills and had nine excellent receptions in a rousing comeback for the Lady Falcons in the competition, supported by Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, Summit, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Eurotel- Apo View Hotel, Batangas Country Club, Executive Optical, Baic Auto Philippines, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Frances Mordi added 10 markers and Lhouriz Tuddao had six points for Adamson, which closed the round with a 2-1 slate and will take on the No. 3 seed in Pool F in the next stage.
The Fighting Maroons absorbed back-to-back setbacks after sweeping the first round.
Kiane Olango had nine points while Yesha Noceja and Casiey Dongallo finished with seven markers each for UP.
The Fighting Maroons and Blue Eagles battle on Friday to determine their quarterfinal seeding.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
