UST celebrates a point against Adamson in their semifinal match-up in the 2025 SSL Preseason Unity Cup, October 26, 2025 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas claimed the second and last championship ticket in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup after an impressive sweep of Adamson University on Sunday night.
The Golden Tigresses leaned on their net defense to turn back the Lady Falcons in straight sets, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
UST is now set to challenge defending champion National University, after the Lady Bulldogs booted out Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in the other semis match-up.
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Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is on November 8 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Marga Altea was solid at the net, recording three straight rejections to seal the victory as twice-to-beat UST hosted a block party to frustrate the Lady Falcons.
Regine Jurado led the Tigresses with 14 points built on 12 attacks and two kill blocks. As a team, UST had 12 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.
"Since 'yung first loss namin sa UP parang nag-click sa amin 'yun na 'di na pwedeng mangyari ulit 'yun na ganun ang performance namin, na alam naman namin na we can do better. Siguro 'yun yung pagiging composed namin and nakikita naman yung mga improvements namin. So itutuluy-tuloy lang 'yun and 'yung dedication namin sa 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.
"Hindi naman birong kalaban ang Adamson. Siguro 'yung team chemistry namin need pa namin i-improve and marami pa kaming lapses lalo na sa service. Siguro ang biggest challenge namin ngayon ay 'yung errors namin so need namin pang mag-improve," Altea added.
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 Nov. 15 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the battle for fifth between UP and Ateneo de Manila University, as well as the seventh-place match pitting San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde are scheduled on Nov. 8.