Defending champion National University advanced to a fourth straight finals appearance after booting out Far Eastern University in an emphatic, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, win in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup semifinals on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs displayed steady composure especially in the second frame, where they needed to save four set points, to turn back the Lady Tamaraws and come within two more wins of a four-peat.
Skipper Vange Alinsug and Celine Marsh led the way for unbeaten NU’s eighth straight victory in the league’s centerpiece tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Alinsug finished with 11 points off nine kills and two kill blocks to go with five digs and five excellent receptions, while Marsh got nine markers for the Lady Bulldogs.
Chams Maaya and Josline Salazar added eight points each for NU, which will face the winner in the other semis pairing between twice-to-beat University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University in the best-of-three championship starting on November 8 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Tigresses and Lady Falcons are still playing as of press time.
Meanwhile, Adamson standout Shaina Nitura has been unveiled as the new SSL Ambassador, taking over the role held by NU product and Alas Pilipinas teammate Bella Belen.
Nitura received the honor in a turnover ceremony held before the UST-Adamson match.
The young spiker will not only be the face of SSL but will also take on the role and responsibility of inspiring other aspiring volleyball players. Part of Nitura’s task is to take part in SSL’s school campus tour, talk about the role of women in sports and share her volleyball experience and best practices in life that molded her to what she is today, among others.
The Lady Bulldogs clawed their way back from a 21-24 deficit in the second frame with three straight points capped by a costly miscue by the Lady Tamaraws.
FEU regained the lead, but a Chams Maaya kill followed by an Alyzza Devosora attack error turned the tables around as NU went up, 26-25. Josline Salazar shut the door on Devosora in the next play as the Lady Bulldogs stole the frame for a 2-0 match lead.
The SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg champs established a 17-12 gap in the third frame and held off the Lady Tamaraws’ repeated comeback attempts.
“Nalinis namin ‘yung galaw namin and nung sa second set that was a test of character para sa amin. Itong game na ito is very important for us para makaangat kami sa finals,” Marsh said.
“Ang sinasabi po sa amin we should never use that (twice-to-beat) advantage kasi dun kukuha ng kompiyansa ang kalaban kapag nagamit nila yung twice-to-beat advantage. Ang mindset namin is all-out kami may twice-to-beat advantage man o wala,” she added.
Ia David had eight points, Devosora scored seven while Kyle Pendon got eight markers for FEU.
The Lady Tamaraws, winners of the National Invitationals Batangas Leg, will battle the on Nov. 8 the UST-Adamson semis loser in a winner-take-all bronze medal match 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.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
