Unbeaten defending champion National University strengthened its bid for a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage after defeating University of the Philippines, 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-18, for a second straight win in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup second round on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Skipper Vange Alinsug and Celine Marsh led the charge as the four-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs once again imposed their dominance over their SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg gold medal match victim, claiming the solo lead in Pool E.
NU staged a strong comeback in the third set after dropping the second and carried that momentum into the fourth to notch its fifth consecutive victory overall in the tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.
Alinsug delivered an all-around performance with 14 points from 11 kills, two kill blocks, and an ace, along with five excellent receptions and two digs, inspired by the presence of former ace player and decorated spiker Bella Belen on the sidelines.
Marsh also scored 14 points, including 10 kills and four aces, finishing the match with a crosscourt hit that clinched the one-hour, 53-minute encounter. Alexa Mata contributed 10 markers for NU, which came off a five-set escape against Adamson University on Saturday.
“Minotivate lang namin sarili namin kasi alam naman namin na magsusunod-sunod ang laro, and ang goal naman talaga namin is makapag-perform kami ng maayos and maipanalo rin ang games ng mga sunod-dunod,” Alinsug said.
NU turned a slim three-point advantage into a 23-15 lead in the fourth set with a decisive 7-2 run, highlighted by Marsh’s sharp crosscourt score. The Fighting Maroons made a last push, closing the gap to 23-18, but Irah Jaboneta’s spike went wide before Marsh delivered the finishing blow.
“Sa amin naman di lang namin tinanggalan ng morale ang isa’t isa kasi alam din namin talaga na di rin magpapatalo ang UP. So, kami pinag-aralan namin sila and in-apply naman namin sa game. Nakipagtulungan din naman ang mga teammates ko,” Alinsug added.
The Lady Bulldogs committed two critical errors during UP’s closing 3-1 run in the second set, allowing the Fighting Maroons to steal it. NU then surged to an 11-4 lead in the third frame and never looked back to take a 2-1 match lead.
(C) SSL
NU will aim to secure its quarterfinals incentive when it faces Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday to close its second-round run, 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.
Jelai Gajero and Cassiey Dongallo led UP with 14 points each, combining for 25 kills in the Fighting Maroons’ 45 attack points. Nina Ytang added seven markers but could not prevent UP—who committed 35 points’ worth of errors—from suffering its first loss of the tournament after sweeping the preliminary round.
(C) SSL
In the second game, Frances Mordi powered Adamson University to a 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15 rebound win over Ateneo de Manila University in Pool E, keeping their hopes alive for a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage.
The Nigerian winger tallied 20 points on 17 kills and three kill blocks for the Lady Falcons, who improved to 1-1 after a five-set loss to reigning three-time champion NU on Saturday. Princess Dote had eight points, while Joy Aseo and Lhouriz Tuddao added seven markers each. Adamson opted to sit ace spiker Shaina Nitura for the second consecutive game.
(C) SSL
Ateneo faltered in the fourth set after surviving a tight third frame. Zel Tsunashima was the lone Blue Eagle in double figures with 12 points—all from spikes. Zey Pacia had nine markers, and Dona De Leon added eight points.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
