NU, UST eye SSL semis spots

Games today:

(San Andres Gym)

10 a.m. — NU vs San Beda

12 p.m. — UST vs Ateneo

2 p.m. — Adamson vs Saint Benilde

4 p.m. — FEU vs UP

Teams armed with a twice-to-beat advantage look for a quick Final Four entry against lower-ranked squads seeking to force a sudden death as explosive quarterfinals action in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup erupts Tuesday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.      

Three-time defending champion and still unbeaten National University (NU) battles San Beda University in the curtain-raiser of the quadruple-header feature set at 10 a.m.

The Lady Bulldogs topped Pool E and secured a quarters incentive after a three-game sweep in the second round.

NU, which has won six straight games in the competition and nine overall this season, including its flawless championship run in the National Invitationals Davao Leg, remains formidable despite the absence of Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan, who are playing for the national team in the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.  

Skipper Vange Alinsug, Chams Maaya, decorated setter Lams Lamina, Alexa Mata and Celine Marsh lead the Lady Bulldogs’ charge against the skidding Pool F No. 4 Lady Red Spikers, who will rely on the tandem of Angel Habacon and Janelle Bachar to pull off an upset.

Meanwhile, streaking University of Santo Tomas (UST) battles Ateneo de Manila University at 12 p.m. 

The Tigresses swept the second round for the No. 1 seed in Pool F and a twice-to-beat bonus.

“It’s very important for us to emerge as No. 1 in our pool because we can carry the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. Aside from that, we’ll carry the momentum into our next game,” UST setter Arlene Waje, who dished out 16 excellent sets in their sweep of San Beda to end the second round, said.

The Blue Eagles have lost five consecutive games, including a winless run in the second round.    

On the other hand, Pool E No. 2 seed and also sporting a quarters incentive Adamson University collides with College of Saint Benilde at 2 p.m. while Pool F second seed Far Eastern University squares off with a twice-to-win disadvantaged University of the Philippines at 4 p.m.

If necessary, do-or-die matches in the quarters will be played on Friday at the Paco Arena.    

Twice-to-beat advantage will be given to higher-seeded teams, based on their rankings in the second round, that will advance to the semifinals.