The stage is set

University of Santo Tomas (UST) punched the last championship ticket after sweeping Adamson University, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, in the semifinals of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup semifinals on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.      

Marga Altea’s impeccable net defense complemented the red-hot attacking of Angge Poyos to bring the Tigresses back to the finals for the first time in two years for another crack at ending the dynastic rule of four-peat-seeking National University (NU) in the league’s centerpiece tournament.

The twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs booted out Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in the other semis pairing to remain on the right track of completing a second straight season sweep after their earlier conquest of the SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg.

Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is on 8 November at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Altea had a solid outing manning the net, highlighted by three straight kill blocks to seal the victory as twice-to-beat UST hosted a block party to frustrate the Lady Falcons.

Jurado led the Tigresses, who tallied 12 kill blocks, with 14 points built on 12 attacks and two kill blocks.

Altea scored four of her eight markers from kill blocks. Xyza Gula and Julia Balingit chipped in seven points each to help UST string seven straight victories since dropping its tournament opener against University of the Philippines (UP).

“Since our first loss to UP, we realized that it should not happen again. We have to work harder and be more composed so we can see our improvement. I hope we can sustain it and continue to be dedicated in training,” Altea said.

Altea gave UST a 23-18 lead in the third set off a well-timed denial against Adamson’s Frances Mordi. The Lady Falcons retaliated with back-to-back kills to close the gap to just three, but Altea shut the door on Mordi in the last two plays to send Adamson packing. 

“Adamson is no easy foe. I think we need to further improve our chemistry because we still have a lot of lapses, especially in our serves,” Altea added.

“I think our biggest challenge now is how to avoid committing errors. We really need to work harder to improve.”

UST had a hard time shaking off Adamson in the second frame after controlling the opening set. Balingit shattered the deadlock at 22 with a backrow hit followed by a Poyos kill block on Abegail Segui before Gula landed a service winner for a 2-0 match advantage.

Newly-appointed SSL ambassador Shaina Nitura relentlessly challenged the Tigresses’ defense to no avail.

Nitura, who took over the role of NU product and Alas Pilipinas teammate Bella Belen, pounded 13 attacks to finish with a team-high 14 points while Mordi had 10 markers for Adamson.

The Lady Falcons and Lady Tamaraws — winners of the National Invitationals Cebu and Batangas Legs, respectively — will try to salvage a podium finish in the battle for bronze set on 15 November at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.