Far Eastern University and College of Saint Benilde remained unbeaten in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals Batangas Leg Saturday at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym, setting up a virtual title showdown on Sunday.
The Lady Tamaraws demolished an overmatched the University of Batangas Brahmans, 25-14, 25-7, 25-19, cruising to their second straight victory without dropping a set in the tournament.
Aside from a challenge in the third frame, FEU relied on a powerful service game and a closing 8-1 rally to overwhelm the host squad.
Middle blocker Mitzi Panangin led FEU with 10 points off eight kills and two kill blocks. Meanwhile, Faida Bakanke and Lovely Lopez added nine markers apiece.
Clarisse Loresco, Gerzel Petallo, and Ia David contributed five points each, with David delivering back-to-back aces in the third set to spark the Lady Tamaraws’ closing spurt.
“Iba pa rin kapag ganitong level na or ganitong stage na championship ang pinag-uusapan. Ang maturity dun na lumalabas, ang decision-making na di natin nakikita sa training dito na lumalabas,” FEU coach Tina Salak said.
“Hopefully, we’ll have better chemistry sa loob ng court at ma-minimize mga errors namin.”
Kylie Macatangay had 10 points to lead the Lady Brahmans, who started the third frame with an 8-4 advantage.
Dhenise Saldo and Riza Drice finished with four markers each.
UB will try to salvage a podium finish when it faces winless Letran on the final day of the single-round robin competition, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets, and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde went through a grueling five-set battle before turning back gritty Letran, 27-29, 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 15-8, for its second straight victory.
The Lady Blazers recovered after a fourth-set meltdown, thanks in part to a stern in-game talk from head coach Jerry Yee, and dominated the fifth set to maintain their unblemished record.
Shahanna Lleses led CSB with 19 points, scoring four in the decider, while Zam Nolasco added 16 markers and Clydel Catarig contributed 13.
CSB opened the fifth set at 4-4 before unleashing a telling 7-1 run, capped by a Lleses kill, to grab an 11-5 lead.
“Yung ginawa lang po namin is in-game adjustments. Kung ano ang kulang sa amin yun ang pinupunan namin,” Catarig said. “Papasok sa fifth set pinag-usapan namin na tapusin na natin ito and may game pa rin bukas para makapahinga pa.”
The Lady Knights of Letran, who finished third last year, fell to a 0-2 slate despite 25 points from Judiel Nitura.
Sheena Sarie and Nizelle Martin scored 17 markers each, while Leonilyn Padilla added 11.
Letran will take on University of Batangas in the tournament finale.
