The Finals is set for the 2025 Shakey’s Pre-Season Unity Cup as the undefeated National University plays the University of Santo Tomas on November 8.
Recap: Do-Or-Die Quarterfinals on October 24
With the NU Lady Bulldogs and UST Golden Tigresses making it to the Final Four last October 21, the last pair of quarterfinal matches was played at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The 1st match was Adamson University against the College of Saint Benilde.
The Lady Falcons set the tone early by taking the opening set, capitalizing on their aggressive offense and solid floor defense.
However, CSB’s second stringers came out blazing in the second frame, establishing a quick 6-0 lead that set the tempo. Behind Shahanna Lleses, the Lady Blazers extended the gap to 24-14 before sealing the set with a strong kill to even the match at one set apiece.
Adamson quickly regained control in the third set, building an early cushion and maintaining their composure throughout to cruise to a Set 3 win and a 2-1 advantage.
In the decisive fourth set, the Lady Falcons pounced on back-to-back errors from CSB midway through the frame, sparking a crucial run that gave them a 23-19 lead. Nitura then delivered a clutch attack to bring Adamson to match point.
Although a service error by Bella Sapienza and a kill from Zam Nolasco allowed CSB to trim the deficit, the Lady Blazers’ hopes were dashed after Lleses overshot her attack, sealing Adamson’s victory and semifinal berth.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-18, Set 2: 25-15, Set 3: 25-16, Set 4: 25-22
Nitura, who missed their previous outing due to a minor injury, delivered an impressive all-around performance, tallying 16 points (15 attacks and one block), 11 digs, and 10 excellent receptions. A triple-double effort that steered Adamson into the Final Four.
Frances Mordi led all scorers with 18 points, while Abegail Segui and Princess Dote chipped in 9 points each.
For CSB, Zam Nolasco scored 14 points, while Rhea Densing added 11, as the team was relegated to the classification round.
Then the last quarterfinals match was between the University of the Philippines and the Far Eastern University.
After taking the extended opening set, the UP Fighting Maroons collapsed and were quickly dispatched by the FEU Lady Tamaraws, ending the match in 4-sets.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 26-24, Set 2: 25-22, Set 3: 25-18, Set 4: 26-24
Faida Bakanke received the Best Player of the Match Award as she finished the game with 14 points built on her 13 attacks and a block.
Recap: Classification Games last October 26
For the classification games, the San Beda University faced off against the UP Fighting Maroons.
UP completed a clean 26-24, 25-23, 25-22 sweep of San Beda University in a match that lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
Rookie standout Casiey Dongallo led the Fighting Maroons with 10 points, while Bienne Bansil contributed nine and Yesha Noceja chipped in eight. Despite San Beda’s gritty performance, UP maintained its composure during crunch time, edging the Lady Red Spikers in all three closely contested sets.
Angel Habacon paced San Beda with 10 points, followed by Jeliane Catubig with nine, while Janelle Bachar and Katleya Molina added eight each in the losing effort.
The other classification match was the Ateneo de Manila University going up against the CSB Blazers.
The Blue Eagles had a golden chance to close the match in straight sets but faltered in the third frame after committing back-to-back errors at match point, 24-23. Zam Nolasco then delivered an off-the-block hit for CSB to steal the set.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-18, Set 2: 25-11, Set 3: 26-24, Set 4: 25-16
Hermosura, powered through with 15 points built on 13 attacks and 2 service aces. She received strong support from Zey Pacia with 14 points and Jihan Isabelle Chuatico with 11, as the Blue Eagles dominated the Lady Blazers in attacks, 59-35.
Nolasco finished with 14 points as the lone Lady Blazer in double digits, while Camila Bartolome and Shekaina Lleses added 8 and 7, respectively. Ateneo had 10 service aces in the entire match.
Final Four: FEU vs N.U. – UST vs ADU last October 26
The 1st match of the Final Four for the 2025 Shakey’s Pre-Season Unity Cup, played at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, features FEU versus the undefeated National University Lady Bulldogs.
The Lady Bulldogs’ depth and discipline were on full display as they fended off every FEU rally. Their floor defense and consistent attacking rhythm proved crucial in sealing the straight-sets win and maintaining their quest for back-to-back season sweeps, following their earlier dominance in the SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-20, Set 2: 27-25, Set 3: 25-21
Team captain Vange Alinsug led the charge with 11 points built on 9 attacks and 2 blocks, while also contributing 5 digs and 5 excellent receptions. Celine Marsh added 9 points, and both Chams Maaya and Josline Salazar scored 8 each as NU stayed on track for a possible 4-peat.
For FEU, Ia David and Kyle Pendon tallied 8 points apiece, while Devosora added 7, but the Lady Tamaraws could not find the answer to NU’s offensive and defensive intensity.
Meanwhile, the UST vs ADU had the same story.
In the second frame, Balingit broke a 22-all tie with a backrow kill, followed by a Poyos block and a service ace from Gula to secure a two-set lead.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-22, Set 2: 25-22, Set 3: 25-20
Angge Poyos and Marga Altea, the Tigresses, combined solid offense with airtight net defense to complete the sweep. Poyos fired 14 points, while Altea dominated at the net with four blocks among her eight markers. Xyza Gula and Julia Balingit chipped in seven points each, helping UST notch its seventh consecutive win after dropping its tournament opener against UP.
Despite the loss, Adamson’s Shaina Nitura continued to shine in her return to full strength, finishing with 14 points on 13 attacks, while Mordi contributed 10 markers.
