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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider NU, UST clash for SSL glory

NU, UST clash for SSL glory

Published Nov 7, 2025 01:46 pm

At A Glance

  • Four-peat-seeking National University takes on a hungry University of Santo Tomas side in an ultimate duel for supremacy as intense and explosive action in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup best-of-three championship kicks off Saturday, Nov. 8, at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
NU guns for its fourth straight SSL crown against UST. (SSL)
NU guns for its fourth straight SSL crown against UST. (SSL)
Games today:
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
11 a.m. --- San Beda vs CSB
1 p.m. --- UP vs Ateneo
4 p.m. --- NU vs UST
Four-peat-seeking National University takes on a hungry University of Santo Tomas side in an ultimate duel for supremacy as intense and explosive action in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup best-of-three championship kicks off Saturday, Nov. 8, at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Facing off in an exciting rematch of the 2023 edition’s title showdown, the two proud and star-studded teams meet at center court at 4 p.m., looking to draw the pivotal first blood.
The Lady Bulldogs and Tigresses punched their way into the finale of the league’s centerpiece tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea, by sweeping their respective Final Four opponents two weeks ago.
NU, gunning for a second straight season sweep following its conquest of the National Invitationals Davao Leg, rolled past Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in their semifinal match despite the absence of a couple of key players.
“Itong game na ito is very important for us para may madala kami paangat sa finals,” said winger Celine Marsh, who connived with skipper Vange Alinsug to provide the Lady Bulldogs the much-needed firepower to get past the Lady Tamaraws.
But this time, NU will have its full arsenal with the return of top rookie Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan following their national team tour of duty.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Regine Diego will also bank on decorated setter Lams Lamina, Chams Maaya, Alexa Mata, Josline Salazar and libero Shaira Jardio.
On the other hand, UST will try to take advantage of the momentum it built following a morale-boosting, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, domination of the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University in the semis.
New Tigresses mentor Shaq delos Santos underscores the importance of stealing Game 1 from the well-experienced and stacked Lady Bulldogs.
“Kung mabibigyan ng chance pipilitin namin na makuha itong Game 1 but for sure ‘yan magpapahirapan talaga. Sobrang dikdikan yung laban. Expect namin na laging close ang score and knowing NU sanay ‘yan sa championship,” he said.
“Opportunity naman namin na makapaglaro against them and ibang usapan na ito kasi finals nga.”
Top winger Angge Poyos will be the main focal point of offense, while Xyza Gula, Regina Jurado, Julia Balingit, Marga Altea, playmaker Cassie Carballo and libero Detdet Pepito are expected to deliver the same performance they have shown in UST’s scorching seven-game winning streak heading into the finals.
Meanwhile, San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde square off in the battle for seventh at 11 a.m.
The fifth-place match between Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines is set at 1 p.m.
The Lady Tamaraws and Lady Falcons will dispute the bronze medal in the tournament 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, in a winner-take-all affair on November 15 on the same day of the Finals Game 2.
Games in the SSL Preseason Unity Cup are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
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