Game 2 of the 2025 Shakey’s Pre-Season Unity Cup between National University and the University of Santo Tomas took place on November 15, 2025, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Indestructible Force Meets An Immovable Object
The NU Lady Bulldogs needed every ounce of grit and composure to repeat over the Tigresses, completing a four-peat and another undefeated campaign.
UST came out with sharp execution in the opening frame as they capitalized on early NU errors to gain a 1-0 lead. But the Lady Bulldogs responded in the second set behind rookie standout Sam Cantada and veteran presence Vange Alinsug, adjusting their tempo and matching UST’s intensity to level the match.
Momentum Swings and Pressure Moments
In the third set, the Tigresses regained control in a tight, seesaw battle that saw UST escape in extra points, briefly putting NU on the brink.
With UST up 2-1, the Lady Bulldogs tapped into their trademark championship poise, mounting a determined fourth-set push. Alinsug ignited NU’s surge, helping the team force a decider with steady scoring and defensive presence.
NU carried that fire into the fifth set, where they shattered a 2-2 tie with a commanding 8-3 run.
UST faltered with four costly errors in that stretch, and an unsuccessful net-touch challenge later on gifted NU a 12-8 cushion. Kaye Bombita and Alinsug brought the Lady Bulldogs to championship point at 14-9.
Though UST momentarily held off defeat, Tigresses’ middle Mary Anne Coronado’s overcooked serve sealed the victory for NU, triggering a celebration that capped their flawless 10-game sweep.
FINAL SCORES = Set 1: 25-22, Set 2: 25-22, Set 3: 27-25, Set 4: 25-23, Set 5: 15-10
Young Core of Cantada, Alinsug, and Lamina Lead NU’s Offensive Charge
Rookie sensation Sam Cantada delivered a standout performance, pouring in 24 points on 20 kills, two aces, and two blocks to headline NU’s attack.
Alinsug followed with 19 points, mixing kills, blocks, and aces to anchor key scoring stretches, which included her leadership during NU’s blistering start in the fifth set, which veteran supporters described as a glimpse of her evolution as team captain.
Bombita added 14 markers, while setters Lams Lamina and Abegail Pono dictated NU’s offensive rhythm with precision.
Lamina, who earned both the tournament Most Valuable Player and Best Setter awards, tallied 25 excellent sets, with Pono adding 26. Their combined distribution enabled NU to rack up 65 kills in the match.
UST’s Golden Player – Shaira Jardio
For the Golden Tigresses, Shaira Jardio provided stability in the backcourt, compiling 18 digs and 11 excellent receptions while disrupting UST’s attempts to build long scoring runs.
Her consistency mirrored her Game 1 heroics, where she similarly frustrated the Tigresses in NU’s earlier five-set escape. Jardio’s performance was later recognized with the Best Libero award.
Golden Tigresses’ Resilient Stand Despite Missing Key Star
UST put up a formidable fight despite the absence of Angge Poyos, who was sidelined with a sprain. The Tigresses leaned on multiple contributors to stay in the match, with Xyza Gula leading the way with 16 points.
Julia Balingit produced 13, Regina Jurado chipped in 12, and Marga Altea scored 11 in their second silver-medal finish since 2023.
The Tigresses also collected individual honors: Jurado was named Best Opposite Spiker, Gula was recognized as 2nd Best Outside Spiker, and Altea earned 2nd Best Middle Blocker.
Already a Milestone for the Rookie Coach of NU
First-year NU head coach Regine Diego lauded both teams afterward, stating:
“We’re happy kasi nag-champion kami. Congrats din sa UST because they’ve been playing well, malakas din talaga sila. Na-gauge namin yung kaya naming gawin pa.”
She later added, “Hopefully, you get to see more of us in the future. Hopefully, we can defend our title not just here but also in the UAAP.”
Other Tournament Awardees and a Successful 4-Peat for NU
Beyond NU and UST, other standout players from the tournament were acknowledged. Adamson’s Shaina Nitura secured the 1st Best Outside Spiker award, while NU’s Chams Maaya claimed the 1st Best Middle Blocker.
The Lady Bulldogs’ campaign also followed a dominant run in the National Invitationals Davao Leg, marking their second straight season sweep.
NU’s four-peat places them in a league of their own, especially as the team transitions into a new era without former stars Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan.
Their departure raised questions about NU’s ceiling this year, but those concerns were quickly erased by the emergence of Cantada and the steady leadership of Alinsug.
As Alinsug put it following the championship, “Sobrang special sa amin nito kasi alam naming sobrang dami naming pinagdaanan lalo na wala na ‘yung mga go-to namin.”
The Bottomline? NU Shines After Belen’s Exit, While UST Still Struggles to Break Through
NU’s triumph in the SSL serves as a strong indicator of what the upcoming UAAP Season 88 could look like.
Despite losing several cornerstone players, the Lady Bulldogs showcased depth, resilience, and adaptability, these traits that often define championship-caliber teams.
Cantada’s breakout performance, despite being a rookie, suggests NU has secured a new go-to scorer for the future, while Alinsug’s leadership hints at a seamless generational transition.
Meanwhile, UST’s gritty showing, even without Poyos, signals that they remain one of NU’s biggest threats in the UAAP. But this performance from them may be an indication of why they still wouldn’t get over the semifinals hump.
If both teams continue on their current trajectories, volleyball fans may be treated to another chapter of this growing rivalry when the 2026 season rolls around.
