DEFENDING champion National University is out to capture a fourth straight crown against a University of Santo Tomas side looking to force a decider in Game 2 of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup best-of-three finals on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Opening serve is at 3:30 p.m. with another massive crowd tipped to witness the intense action-packed championship showdown of two of the country’s top college women’s volleyball programs in the league’s centerpiece tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Meanwhile, the winner-take-all battle for bronze between Far Eastern University and Adamson University kicks off the double-header playdate at 1 p.m.
The Lady Bulldogs drew first blood last week in a marathon escape over the Tigresses, 15-25, 25-23, 25-17, 13-25, 15-12, to inch closer to a second straight season sweep following their earlier conquest of the SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg.
But it wasn’t a cakewalk for unbeaten NU as it needed to charge back from two points down late in the fifth set — blasting a 5-1 closing rally to notch its ninth win in as many starts.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Regine Diego reminds her wards that the job is far from over and they must not let their guards down against a wounded yet very determined rival.
“UST is doing very well. They’ve been making a lot of points, sobrang ganda ng jelling nila. The fact that we won this game (Game 1,) we’re very happy and mas nakakakalma ngayon na at least naka-one kami,” said Diego, who is on the brink following the footsteps of former NU champion mentors Karl Dimaculangan, Norman Miguel and Sherwin Meneses.
“Pero siyempre we cannot be overconfident for the next one. We have to focus again on the process because this is not the end yet. We can’t stop because it’s not yet the end.”
The defiant Tigresses, under returning champion coach Shaq Delos Santos, won’t let the Lady Bulldogs pull off another flawless championship run and lift the intricately designed trophy crafted by renowned Filipino artist Van Tuico.
UST won’t allow NU a repeat of their 2023 title showdown.
This time, the Tigresses will go all-out to force a decider 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.
Game 3, if necessary, is on Wednesday at the same venue.
“I think mas kailangan naming makuha ‘yung maturity, ‘yung pag-handle ng pressure and pag-focus especially sa endgame. Nandoon na yung chance pero nabitawan, napakawalan pa,” Delos Santos said after UST yielded the series opener, snapping its seven-game winning streak.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila after the game na ‘yan ‘yung mga bagay na ‘di matuturo sa practice. ‘Yan ‘yung opportunity na maganda and hopefully sa Game 2 kailangan ma-overcome,” he added.
Tigresses stars Angge Poyos, Regina Jurado, Marga Altea, Xyza Gula, playmaker Cassie Carballo and senior libero Detdet Pepito are ready to match the firepower of the Lady Bulldogs’ prized rookie Sam Cantada, Celine Marsh, Chams Maaya, Kaye Bombita, Vange Alinsug, setter Lams Lamina and defense specialist Shaira Jardio.
“Sabi ko nga hindi natin kailangan hintayin ang UAAP, sa Game 2 pa lang trumabaho na tayo. Kailangan magtrabaho na talaga tayo. Kapag nakuha natin ang Game 2, ibang kwento naman yung Game 3. ‘Yun lang ang target namin. Kaya all-out talaga,” Delos Santos said.
