National University Nazareth School showcased nerves of steel in a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Bacolod Tay Tung, 27-25, 16-25, 21-25, 30-28, 15-13, to capture the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup Division 1 title on Saturday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
Sam Cantada delivered clutch hits in the crucial moments to power the Lady Bullpups to their breakthrough championship in the country’s premier grassroots volleyball tournament, supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.
After falling short of a podium finish in the tournament’s first two editions, NUNS finally broke through, leaning on reigning UAAP MVP Cantada to deliver in the final two sets.
The title adds to their growing collection of trophies, which already includes the UAAP and Palarong Pambansa crowns.
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Cantada tallied 21 points — four of which came in the deciding frame — on 15 attacks, three blocks, and three service aces. Denesse Daylisan matched her output with 21 markers, while Jenelyn Jacob and Harlyn Serneche added 14 and 12 points, respectively.
With the win, NUNS reaffirmed its mastery over its Palarong Pambansa gold-medal match opponent.
“Itong game na ito, hindi talaga nag-give up ang mga players. Nandoon ang eagerness at puso nila na makuha pa rin ang panalo kahit na down kami. Ipinakita nila ulit ang character nila,” said NUNS head coach Karl Dimaculangan.
Cantada came to the rescue in the extended fourth set, saving NUNS from the brink of defeat with a clutch kill that forced a fifth set.
In the decider, both squads went toe-to-toe until the Thunderbolts blinked first. Rhose Almendralejo sent her serve long, followed by Ana Hermosura’s overcooked attack that sealed Bacolod Tay Tung’s runner-up finish for the second consecutive year.
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Almendralejo’s league-record 35-point explosion went to waste as Bacolod Tay Tung fell short again. Hermosura contributed 20 points, Camila Bartolome had 12, and Alexa Bertolano added 11 in the losing effort.
The Thunderbolts also failed to convert a championship point at 25-24 in the fourth set.
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Meanwhile, De La Salle-Lipa secured a podium finish by sweeping Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-22, 25-12, 25-20, to claim the Division 1 bronze medal.
The trio of Althea Sumague, Maxene Sumagaysay, and Kyle Aldovino led the Green Stallions’ dominant performance over the Lady Brigadiers. Sumague scored all 12 of her points on kills, Sumagaysay chipped in 11 markers, and Aldovino added 10.
Dethroned Adamson University salvaged some pride with a gutsy come-from-behind win over Far Eastern University-Diliman, 24-26, 21-25, 25-18, 35-33, 17-15, in the fifth-place classification match.
Ellaine Gonzalvo fired 25 points to lead three Lady Baby Falcons in double digits. Francheska Adem added 19 markers while Kristal Martin had 14.
Adamson held off a 27-point explosion from FEU-Diliman’s Nigerian ace Ifunanya Udeagbala in a marathon match that lasted two hours and seven minutes.
Arellano University, on the other hand, was awarded seventh place by default after King’s Montessori School failed to arrive on time for their scheduled match.
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In Division 2 action, Domuschola International School dominated Everest International Academy, 25-11, 26-24, 25-17, to become the first-ever Division 2 champion in SGVIL history.
Naihma Banal spearheaded the Badgers with 19 points off 15 kills, three blocks, and an ace. Isabella Asistio added nine points while Micaela Pingris — daughter of former PBA and Gilas Pilipinas standout Marc Pingris — contributed seven.
Both Domuschola and Everest International have been promoted to Division 1 for next year’s tournament.
