Top-seeded teams and defending champion National University and University of Santo Tomas secured their spots in the Final Four after hurdling their respective quarterfinal opponents in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup on Tuesday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
Celine Marsh delivered a breakout performance for the four-peat-seeking and twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs, powering them past a gritty San Beda University squad, 26-24, 25-27, 25-18, 25-16, to advance to the next round.
The sophomore open spiker stepped up in the absence of Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan, who are currently representing the Philippines in the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, finishing with a game-high 23 points.
NU had a shaky start, needing to fend off the pesky Lady Red Spikers in a tight, extended opening set before yielding the second frame. With Marsh leading the charge, the Lady Bulldogs finally found their rhythm, creating comfortable margins in the next two sets to stay unbeaten after seven matches in the tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.
“It was not our A-game. Madami pa talaga kaming need i-improve. Madami pa kaming need na connect and stuff. Ang ginawa namin sa mga remaining sets we really needed to be composed para makuha ang match na ito,” said Marsh, who tallied 21 kills and two kill blocks.
Abegail Pono added 12 points, while Alexa Mata and Myrtle Escanlar chipped in 11 apiece. Chams Maaya also scored 10 markers for NU, which rested team captain Vange Alinsug. Veteran setter Lams Lamin orchestrated the offense with 19 excellent sets, helping the Lady Bulldogs outgun San Beda in attacks, 59-40.
Angel Habacon was the lone Lady Red Spiker in double figures with 17 points.
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Meanwhile, the Tigresses cruised past Ateneo de Manila University, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21, to book their fourth straight semifinal appearance in the competition 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.
Regina Jurado topscored with 13 points, while Xyza Gula contributed 11 for UST, which didn’t need to use its twice-to-beat incentive to move a step closer to returning to the finals for the first time since its runner-up finish in 2023.
The Tigresses faced a brief scare in the third frame as the Blue Eagles trimmed the gap to 22-21 before Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo, and Blessing Unekwe sealed the deal in just one hour and 31 minutes.
Faye Nisperos finished with nine points, while Ana Hermosura added seven for Ateneo, which suffered its sixth straight loss.
Both NU and UST advanced to the semifinals armed with twice-to-beat advantages by virtue of their No. 1 seedings in their respective pools after the second round.
Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde and University of the Philippines forced do-or-die showdowns in the other quarterfinal pairings.
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The Lady Blazers pounced on an undermanned Adamson University side—missing main gunner Shaina Nitura—to escape with a thrilling 28-26, 20-25, 25-15, 19-25, 15-12 victory, while the Fighting Maroons stunned the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, 25-20.
Rhea Densing erupted for a game-high 24 points, five of which came in the deciding set, as the Lady Blazers snapped a two-game skid and pulled off a huge upset over the twice-to-beat Lady Falcons.
CSB and UP will look to complete their respective quarterfinal upsets in the do-or-die matches scheduled for Friday at the Paco Arena.
Zam Nolasco added 12 points, while Camila Bartolome chipped in nine for the Lady Blazers.
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On the other hand, Casiey Dongallo led the Fighting Maroons with 21 points built on 18 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Jelai Gajero contributed 13 markers.
Joy Aseo’s 20-point performance went for naught as the Lady Falcons bowed out despite her efforts, with Frances Mordi and Abegail Segui adding 11 points each. Adamson rested Nitura due to injury.
Gerzel Petallo paced FEU with 15 points, while Alyzza Devosora added 10 in the loss.
The Lady Bulldogs will face the winner between Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines, while the Tigresses will clash with the survivor between Adamson University and College of Saint Benilde in the Final Four.
Semifinal action is set to begin on Sunday, with a sudden-death match, if necessary, scheduled for October 29.
San Beda and Ateneo have been relegated to the classification round, which starts on Friday at the Paco Arena.
Games in the Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
