National University opened its four-peat bid in dominating fashion with a 25-14, 25-15, 25-14, victory over listless Emilio Aguinaldo College in Pool A of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Bulldogs flexed their depth and firepower in a swift submission of the overwhelmed Lady Generals in the centerpiece tournament of the league, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
Although no one on the NU side reached double figures, 12 of the 14 Lady Bulldogs fielded by head coach Regine Diego chipped in points, with Celine Marsh and converted opposite Pat Salazar firing seven points each.
“Middle ako pero kahapon lang ako trinansfer sa opposite. Wala namang bago, ‘yung system same pa rin pero sa training nililinis lang namin ‘yung galaw namin,” said Salazar, who scored all of her points from kills.
NU, which was in control from start to finish, peppered EAC with 45 kills and got 25 free points off the Lady Generals’ errors in the lopsided match.
Denesse Daylisan had six points while Chams Maaya and Kaye Bombita posted five markers each for the Lady Bulldogs, who barely felt the absence of top rookie Sam Cantada and the cold outing of Vange Alinsug.
NU joined San Beda University at the top of Pool A in the group stage of 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.
EAC slipped to a 0-2 slate and was pushed to the brink of elimination.
Cara Dayanan, Alessandra Rasonable, Shamira Pantoja and Ashley Toriado registered three points each to lead the Lady Generals, who only had 18 attack points.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
