Four-peat-seeking National University went through the wringer before outlasting a pesky Adamson University side missing a key player, 29-31, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 15-10, to start the second round of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Bulldogs had to fight back from a 1-2 match deficit and grind it out in the fifth set of the Pool E encounter that lasted two hours and 36 minutes.
NU extended its winning run to four after surviving Frances Mordi’s 27-point explosion for Adamson, who rested main gunner Shaina Nitura following a title romp in the V-League on Friday.
Sophomore Celine Marsh led NU with 19 points coming from 15 kills, three kill blocks, and an ace. Alexa Mata added 16 markers, senior Vange Alinsug contributed 14, and Chams Maaya scored 10.
Decorated setter Lams Lamina dished out 23 excellent sets while Shaira Jardio had 12 digs and 16 excellent receptions.
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“Biggest challenge ng team namin is kapag nasa dulo na kami we still need to stay composed and hindi nagmamadali. That was our problem sa set one,” said Marsh.
She added, “Ang motivation ko lang was ‘yung redemption namin sa loss namin nu’ng UAAP. Yung ang nasa utak ko. So, teamwork lang talaga yung ginawa namin sa loob.”
NU raced to a 9-6 lead in the fifth set but allowed Adamson to fight back.
A costly Barrera service error opened the door for a 5-1 NU run to reach match point, with Marsh shutting down Abegail Segui’s attack and Mata hammering the finishing blow.
Barrera finished with 17 points to support Mordi’s 26 markers, while Lhouriz Tuddao added 10 for the Lady Falcons.
NU will face University of the Philippines on Sunday at 12 p.m. for a chance to strengthen its twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, while Adamson meets Ateneo de Manila University at 2 p.m.
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Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde rallied from seven points down in the fourth set to repulse San Beda University, 25-23, 18-25, 25-11, 25-22, in Pool F for its first win in the second round.
Trailing 12-19 in the fourth frame, the Lady Blazers fired a 13-3 finishing run, capped by a Zam Nolasco kill, to remain unbeaten in four starts overall.
Nolasco registered seven attacks and three kill blocks for 10 points, while sisters Shekaina and Shahanna Lleses added nine markers each.
Rhea Densing and Camila Bartolome chipped in eight points each for the reigning four-peat NCAA champion squad.
San Beda’s Janelle Bachar saw her 19-point effort go down the drain, while Angel Habacon and Katleya Molina contributed eight and five markers, respectively.
CSB will face University of Santo Tomas on Sunday as they look to move closer to a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
