Far Eastern University accomplished what it failed to achieve last year by sweeping College of Saint Benilde, 25-21, 25-16, 25-19, to claim the crown in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals Batangas Leg Sunday at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym.
Determined to bounce back from a runner-up finish last year, the Lady Tamaraws dominated all three sets. They showcased a complete team effort for their breakthrough title, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.
FEU recovered from a shaky start, making crucial defensive adjustments that allowed them to dictate the pace for the remainder of the match.
“Overall, maganda ang ipinakita ng team. Medyo shaky lang yung pasa namin nung first set, nag-struggle kami sa pass,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak.
“Marami kaming natutunan from this tournament because kailangan naming i-polish yung mga small balls namin, block and defense namin, especially yung pass.”
Best Player of the Batangas Leg Faida Bakanke, along with Gerzel Petallo, Jazlyn Ellarina, and Alyzza Devosora, led FEU’s charge to silence the four-time NCAA champions Lady Blazers.
Petallo scored 13 points, Ellarina fired 12 markers punctuated by the title-clinching spike, while Bakanke and Devosora added 10 points each.
Senior setter Tin Ubaldo contributed 14 excellent sets and five points.
The Lady Tamaraws unleashed decisive runs throughout, including a 5-1 spurt in the opening set and a 6-0 burst in the second, leaving no Lady Blazers player in double digits.
Meanwhile, the battle for third place saw Letran cruise past University of Batangas, 25-22, 25-15, 25-20, salvaging a podium finish in the Batangas Leg.
Taking advantage of their height, firepower, and experience, the Lady Knights overwhelmed the host squad to snap a two-game slide following losses to FEU and a five-set defeat to College of Saint Benilde.
Verenicce Colendra led Letran with a game-high 21 points, hammering 17 kills for the Intramuros-based team.
The Lady Knights fought off a late rally by the Lady Brahmans in the third set, responding to a 21-18 deficit with key plays from Joralyn Panangin and Colendra to secure the win.
Panangin added 12 markers, while Bea Maluto and Nizelle Martin chipped in eight and seven points, respectively. Letran finished the match in one hour and 24 minutes.
“Well, the first game of the tournament was difficult for us. We weren’t in the game at all. Yesterday’s game was perfect for us, every player stepped up, and I like that very much. I’ve been here for a month and I like the improvement,” said Lady Knights head coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki.
“This game, we know our opponent is not that strong, so I gave everybody a chance to play here,” added the Finnish mentor.
Despite losing all three games, University of Batangas gained valuable experience facing top Manila-based teams.
Macatangay finished with 16 points, while Riza Drice scored 10 for the Lady Brahmans.
