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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider UST forges title showdown against NU

UST forges title showdown against NU

Published Oct 27, 2025 12:31 pm

At A Glance

  • University of Santo Tomas punched the last championship ticket after sweeping Adamson University, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, in the semifinals of the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup semifinals on Sunday night, Oct. 26, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(SSL)
(SSL)
University of Santo Tomas punched the last championship ticket after sweeping Adamson University, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, in the semifinals of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup semifinals on Sunday night, Oct. 26, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Marga Altea’s impeccable net defense complemented the red-hot attacking of Angge Poyos to bring the Tigresses back to the finals for the first time in two years for another crack at ending the dynastic rule of four-peat-seeking National University in the league’s centerpiece tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
The twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs booted out Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in the other semis pairing to remain on the right track of completing a second straight season sweep after their earlier conquest of the SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg.
Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is on November 8 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Altea had a solid outing manning the net, highlighted by three straight kill blocks to seal the victory as twice-to-beat UST hosted a block party to frustrate the Lady Falcons.
Jurado led the Tigresses, who tallied 12 kill blocks, with 14 points built on 12 attacks and two kill blocks.
Altea scored four of her eight markers from kill blocks. Xyza Gula and Julia Balingit chipped in seven points each to help UST string seven straight victories since dropping its tournament opener against University of the Philippines.
“Since ‘yung first loss namin sa UP parang nag-click sa amin ‘yun na ‘di na pwedeng mangyari ulit ‘yun na ganun ang performance namin, na alam naman namin na we can do better. Siguro ‘yun yung pagiging composed namin and nakikita naman yung mga improvements namin. So itutuluy-tuloy lang 'yun and 'yung dedication namin sa training,” Altea said.
Altea gave UST a 23-18 lead in the third set off a well-timed denial against Adamson’s Frances Mordi. The Lady Falcons retaliated with back-to-back kills to close the gap to just three, but Altea shut the door on Mordi in the last two plays to send Adamson packing.
“Hindi naman birong kalaban ang Adamson. Siguro 'yung team chemistry namin need pa namin i-improve and marami pa kaming lapses lalo na sa service. Siguro ang biggest challenge namin ngayon ay ‘yung errors namin so need namin pang mag-improve,” Altea added.
UST had a hard time shaking off Adamson in the second frame after controlling the opening set. Balingit shattered the deadlock at 22 with a backrow hit followed by a Poyos kill block on Abegail Segui before Gula landed a service winner for a 2-0 match advantage.
Newly appointed SSL Ambassador Shaina Nitura relentlessly challenged the Tigresses’ defense to no avail.
Nitura, who took over the role of NU product and Alas Pilipinas teammate Bella Belen, pounded 13 attacks to finish with a team-high 14 points while Mordi had 10 markers for Adamson.
The Lady Falcons and Lady Tamaraws - winners of the National Invitationals Cebu and Batangas Legs, respectively – will try to salvage a podium finish in the battle for bronze set on Nov. 15 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the battle for fifth between UP and Ateneo de Manila University, as well as the seventh-place match pitting San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde are scheduled on Nov. 8 when action 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, resumes after a two-week break.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
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