Adamson makes 2nd round; Benilde sweeps group stage

Games today:

(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

10 a.m. — Letran vs UP

12 p.m. — Ateneo vs San Sebastian

2 p.m. — NU vs Lyceum

4 p.m. — FEU vs Adamson

Adamson’s top gun Shaina Nitura was sidelined on Thursday, leaving Joy Aseo to fill in the void left by the prolific scorer en route to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 win over Arellano University in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Aseo came up with 12 points in the Lady Falcons’ second straight victory in as many games as they joined playoffs-bound and also unbeaten Far Eastern University at the top of Pool B.

Adamson, which rested Nitura, was in full control of the match and took out the Lady Chiefs in just 77 minutes.

“We were just patient and employed team work. Our coach just told us to do our best to win,” said Aseo, who also had eight kills and four aces.

Red Bascon finished with eight points while Abegail Segui and Frances Mordi added six points each for Adamson, which annexed the National Invitationals Cebu Leg two months ago.

The Lady Falcons battle the Invitationals Batangas Leg champions on Friday at the same venue when the preliminary round of the league’s centerpiece tournament comes to a close.

Jazmine Palalon and Jayde dela Cruz scored seven and six points, respectively, to pace Arellano, which ended its campaign with a 1-2 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde rallied from a set down and survived an extended fourth frame in an 18-25, 25-13, 25-23, 33-31, victory over Ateneo de Manila University to complete a three-game sweep of Pool D.

The Lady Blazers turned to veteran Zam Nolasco for the finishing blows in the furious fourth set race to the finish to emerge unscathed in the group stage of the competition.

Saint Benilde squandered three match point advantages and had to fight through five set point deficits.

Nolasco tied the fourth frame one last time at 31 with a booming kill before shutting the door on Zey Pacia to push the Lady Blazers to match point.

The two-hour, two-minute encounter ended when Pacia smashed her spike attempt straight to the net.

Nolasco had 19 points from 15 kills and four kill blocks, Shahanna Lleses added 12 points while Rhea Densing scored 11 for the four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion Saint Benilde.

Ateneo slid to a 1-1 card despite the 19-point effort of Ana Hermosura and 17 points by Pacia. Faye Nisperos chipped in 14 points in a lost cause.

The Blue Eagles are in a must-win situation in their second round bid when they face also-ran San Sebastian College-Recoletos (0-2) on Friday.