Unbeaten defending champion National University (NU) boosted its quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage drive after toppling University of the Philippines (UP), 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-18, for a second straight win in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup second round Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Skipper Vange Alinsug and Celine Marsh did most of the damage as the four-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs once again stamped their class over their SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg gold medal match victim for the solo lead in Pool E.

NU came up with a strong third set fightback after yielding the second frame and carried the momentum into the fourth for its fifth straight victory overall in the tournament.

Alinsug scored 14 points from 11 kills, two kill blocks and an ace to go with five excellent receptions and two digs in an all-around performance for the Lady Bulldogs, who were inspired by the presence of their former ace player and decorated spiker Bella Belen watching on the sideline.

Marsh finished with 14 points off 10 kills, including the match-clinching crosscourt hit that ended the one-hour, 53-minute encounter, and four aces, while Alexa Mata added 10 points for NU, which came off a five-set escape over Adamson University on Saturday.

“We motivated ourselves because we knew that the schedule is going to be tough and we have to perform well and win them all,” Alinsug said.

NU sparked a decisive 7-2 blitz to turn a slim three-point advantage into a 23-15 gap in the fourth after Marsh scored off a sharp cross.

The Fighting Maroons staged a last hurrah, scoring three straight points to get within five, 23-18, only for Irah Jaboneta to send her spike wide before Marsh’s finishing blow.      

The Lady Bulldogs committed two crucial errors in UP’s closing 3-1 run to steal the second set. NU raced to an 11-4 lead in the third frame and never looked back for a 2-1 match lead.     

The Lady Bulldogs will try to secure a quarters incentive when they battle Ateneo de Manila University on Wednesday to close their second round run in the competition.

Jelai Gajero and Cassiey Dongallo scored 14 points each with a combined 25 kills in the Fighting Maroons’ 45 attack points.