Defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas eye a quick disposal of their respective semifinals opponents to forge a title showdown in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The four-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs test the mettle of Far Eastern University at 3 p.m. while the Tigresses clash with an equally dangerous Adamson University at 5 p.m.
Both armed with a Final Four twice-to-beat advantage after finishing as top seeds in the second round, NU and UST are fancied to set up a rematch of their 2023 finals meeting in the league’s centerpiece tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
The Lady Bulldogs are riding the crest of an unbeaten run after seven starts, including a 26-24, 25-27, 25-18, 25-16 triumph over San Beda University in the quarterfinals last Tuesday despite missing the services of skipper Vange Alinsug and national youth team players Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan.
NU head coach Regine Diego expects sophomore hitter Celine Marsh, who pumped in 23 points in the previous outing, setter Lams Lamina, Chams Maaya, Abegail Pono, Alexa Mata and Myrtle Escanlar to step up once again for the team to secure a seat in the best-of-three championship.
“Need pa rin naming magpursige at magtiyaga sa loob kasi ‘yung game (quarters) namin wasn’t really that good even though we won. We need to be mindful sa galaw namin, especially sa errors namin na basic,” said Marsh.
On the other hand, the Lady Tamaraws are coming from a 26-24, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24, do-or-die win over University of the Philippines last Friday for a return ticket to the semis 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.
FEU will bank on Faida Bakanke, Alyzza Devosora, Gerzel Petallo Jazlyn Ellarina and top setter Tin Ubaldo to force a rubber match on October 29 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas star and former NU ace Bella Belen will have her final act as SSL ambassador by welcoming the new face of the league in the turnover ceremony set immediately after the second game of the classification round.
Well-rested UST hopes to carry the momentum of its 25-16, 25-21, 25-21, quarters drubbing of Ateneo de Manila University to clip the Lady Falcons.
“We just need to play our game and huwag mag-relax,” Tigresses hitter Regina Jurado said.
Backstopping Jurado are Angge Poyos, Xyza Gula, Marga Altea, Julia Balingit, playmaker Cassie Carballo and libero Detdet Pepito against a formidable Adamson side bannered by Shaina Nitura, Frances Mordi, Abegail Segui, Princess Dote and Lhouriz Tuddao.
Nitura returned after a one-game rest and rescued the Lady Falcons from a feisty College of Saint Benilde’s upset scare, 25-18, 15-25, 25-16, 25-22, in the quarters sudden death on Friday.
In the classification round, San Beda will face UP at 10 a.m. while Ateneo and CSB meet at 12 p.m.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
