Defending champion National University secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after a swift 25-22, 25-17, 25-17 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup second round on Wednesday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
The four-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs showcased their firepower, overpowering the struggling Blue Eagles despite a shaky start, finishing Pool E with a 3-0 win-loss record.
NU is still unbeaten after six games overall in the tournament and backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.
The team will face the fourth-ranked squad in Pool F in the crossover quarterfinals.
Chams Maaya and Josline Salazar led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points each and combined for 14 of the team’s 37 attack points.
“Ang motivation naming lahat ay dapat maganda ang performance and all-out kami kasi if ever may two days kaming pahinga. Pahinga talaga ang kailangan namin ngayon, kaya all-out talaga kami as a team ngayon,” Maaya said.
NU, however, struggled to shake off Ateneo early and even trailed 21-22 in the opening set. Then Maaya took charge, scoring three points in the Lady Bulldogs’ 4-0 closing run to salvage the frame.
From there, NU found its rhythm and sent the Blue Eagles reeling to a 0-2 record in the round and a four-game losing streak overall.
“Nung first set medyo shaky kami. Nung (second) set na ‘yun doon talaga namin inaayos ‘yung mga pagkukulang namin,” Maaya added.
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Ana Hermosura contributed eight points, while Dona Mae De Leon scored six for Ateneo, whose errors gifted NU 26 free points.
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Meanwhile, Shaina Nitura returned after a two-game rest and poured in 22 points to lead Adamson University past the University of the Philippines, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23, securing the other quarterfinal twice-to-beat incentive in Pool E.
Nitura tallied 21 of her points from kills and recorded nine excellent receptions in Adamson’s comeback, 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.
Frances Mordi added 10 points, while Lhouriz Tuddao contributed six for Adamson, which finished the round with a 2-1 record and will face the No. 3 seed in Pool F next.
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The Fighting Maroons absorbed back-to-back losses after sweeping the first round.
Kiane Olango scored nine points, while Yesha Noceja and Casiey Dongallo had seven markers each for UP.
UP and Ateneo will clash on Friday to determine quarterfinal seeding.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
