NU, UST kick off SSL title clash

Games today:

(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

11 a.m. — San Beda vs CSB

1 p.m. — UP vs Ateneo

4 p.m. — NU vs UST

Four-peat-seeking National University (NU)  takes on a hungry University of Santo Tomas (UST) side in an ultimate duel for supremacy as intense and explosive action in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup best-of-three championship kicks off Saturday at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Facing off in an exciting rematch of the 2023 edition’s title showdown, the two proud and star-studded teams meet at center court at 4 p.m., looking to draw the pivotal first blood.

The Lady Bulldogs and Tigresses punched their way into the finale of the league’s centerpiece tournament by sweeping their respective Final Four opponents two weeks ago.

NU, gunning for a second straight season sweep following its conquest of the National Invitationals Davao Leg, rolled past Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in their semifinal match despite the absence of a couple of key players.

“This game is important to us because this would bring us to where we want to be,” said winger Celine Marsh, who connived with skipper Vange Alinsug to provide the Lady Bulldogs the much-needed firepower to get past the Lady Tamaraws.

But this time, NU will have its full arsenal with the return of top rookie Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan following their national team tour of duty.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Regine Diego will also bank on decorated setter Lams Lamina, Chams Maaya, Alexa Mata, Josline Salazar and libero Shaira Jardio.

On the other hand, UST will try to take advantage of the momentum it built following a morale-boosting, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, domination of the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University in the semis.

New Tigresses mentor Shaq delos Santos underscores the importance of stealing Game 1 from the well-experienced and stacked Lady Bulldogs.   

“If we get the chance to take Game 1, that’s exactly what we are going to do but surely this will be a tough game for both squads. This will be a close game because NU’s used to playing in the championships,” he said.

Top winger Angge Poyos will be the main focal point of offense, while Xyza Gula, Regina Jurado, Julia Balingit, Marga Altea, playmaker Cassie Carballo and libero Detdet Pepito are expected to deliver the same performance they have shown in UST’s scorching seven-game winning streak heading into the finals.

Meanwhile, San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde square off in the battle for seventh at 11 a.m.

The fifth-place match between Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines is set at 1 p.m.

The Lady Tamaraws and Lady Falcons will dispute the bronze medal in a winner-take-all affair on 15 November on the same day of the Finals Game 2.