NU, FEU clash for QF top seed

Games today:

(Playtime FilOil Centre)

11 a.m. — Adamson vs Saint Benilde

1 p.m. — Letran vs UST

3 p.m. — FEU vs NU

5 p.m. — UP vs Ateneo

Undefeated squads defending champion National University (NU) and Far Eastern University (FEU) square off in an explosive battle for the top seeding in the crossover quarterfinals as the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup Round of 8 concludes on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.

Already assured of twice-to-beat incentives after hurdling their first two assignments in Pool E, the five-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs and Lady Tamaraws meet at 3 p.m. in a rematch of last year’s semifinals to secure a favorable position in the next round.

NU won its first five games in the league’s centerpiece competition in sweeping fashion but had to fight back from a set down to repel Adamson University, 18-25, 25-19, 25-12, 25-22, on 28 October.

Lady Bulldogs head coach Norman Miguel warns his team against complacency and expects his players to learn from their mistakes in the previous outing.

“We learned a lot from our last game. We lost the first set because of a lack of connection between the spikers and setters, a lack of focus, and there was also that eagerness or over-excitement factor,” Miguel said.

“When we got back to our groove — our normal movements and game character — that was the time we won.”

Miguel is pinning his hopes on the trio of sophomore Sam Cantada, Arah Panique and Vange Alinsug to beat streaking FEU, which bagged the bronze medal last year.

The Lady Tamaraws crushed College of Saint Benilde, 25-14, 25-9, 25-17, over a week ago to snatch a quarters bonus.

FEU looks to match NU’s firepower with its vaunted net defense, anchored by solid middle blockers Cla Loresco and Jaz Ellarina, and versatile opposite spiker Ian David, who scored three kill-blocks last game.

The winner will face the No. 4 seed in Pool F in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, last year’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas aims to preserve its perfect record and lock the Pool F No. 1 seed when it collides with Letran at 1 p.m.

The Golden Tigresses booked a quarters advantage after taking down erstwhile unbeaten University of the Philippines, 26-28, 25-15, 25-17, 25-11, for their second win in the round-robin second round.

However, UST can’t afford another slow start against the Lady Knights, who are eyeing the last quarterfinal incentive.

“It’s becoming a trend for our team that we really have slow starts in the first set. That’s really what we need to improve,” UST winger Angge Poyos said.

“It’s also a good thing for our team that we really have a lot of youngsters stepping up, especially those coming off the bench. They contribute, especially when things aren’t going well on the court. They’re ready whenever they’re called to play.”

The Fighting Maroons are also shooting to secure a quarters incentive against the winless Blue Eagles at 5 p.m.

UP needs to win in three or four sets to claim the quarters bonus in case of a three-way tie at 2-1 with UST and Letran.

Ateneo also has a chance to snatch the incentive if it wins in straight sets or four sets and the Tigresses defeat the Lady Knights.

Meanwhile, Adamson (0-2) and College of Saint Benilde (0-2) open the busy quadruple-header at 11 a.m. to determine their quarters position.