Far Eastern University showcased its championship form with a strong finishing kick to sweep Jose Rizal University, 25-15, 25-9, 25-23, in Pool B of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup, Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Tamaraws recovered from a 22-23 deficit in the third set after setter Tin Ubaldo won a crucial joust, followed by Ann Asis’ service winner. Then the Lady Bombers faltered, with Nicole Deala’s attack hitting the net.
Asis and Gerzel Petallo led FEU’s balanced scoring with eight points each, while Mitzi Panangin and Faida Bakanke contributed six markers apiece.
Kyle Pendon, Frenchie Premaylon, and Ia David added five points each, keeping FEU undefeated since their three-game Luzon sweep in the National Invitationals Batangas Leg of this tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.
“We just needed to execute what the coaches have been training us for. It’s all about applying it during the game,” said Petallo, who recorded six attacks and two aces.
FEU controlled the first two frames comfortably but had to rally from a five-point hole, 12-17, in the third before taking a 21-20 lead off a Bakanke hit.
Despite back-to-back errors from Bakanke, FEU tied it at 22 and capitalized on a final JRU miscue to secure the sweep.
Deala paced JRU with seven points, while Angelica Yongco and Gayle Batara had four each.
Meanwhile, in Pool A, San Beda University went through a grueling five-set marathon to edge Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-19, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10.
Angel Habacon led the charge, scoring five of her 16 points in the decisive fifth set, including the Lady Red Spikers’ final three hits.
A 7-2 run, capped by Habacon’s back-to-back kills, broke a 7-7 tie in the fifth frame and pushed San Beda to match point, 14-10.
Janelle Bachar finished with a game-high 17 points, Jeliane Catubig added 12, and Rianne Bedural contributed eight points in the debut of new coach Kungfu Reyes.
Angel Perez finished with 14 points while Jaed Sayago had 13 for the Lady Generals, who committed 40 errors.
