Adamson University celebrates a point against Arellano in the 2025 SSL Preseason Unity Cup, October 9, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA -- The absence of ace spiker Shaina Nitura barely fazed Adamson University as the Lady Falcons breezed past Arellano University in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Joy Aseo took over the scoring cudgels in a 25-21, 25-17, 25-19 sweep that sent Adamson to the top of Pool B.
They are currently tied with Far Eastern University with identical 2-0 win-loss records in their group.
Aseo scored 12 points in the 77-minute win, which saw Nitura sit out to rest.
"Naging patient lang kami sa isa't isa and nag-team work. Sinasabi sa amin ni coach na gawin ang best namin para manalo. Win or lose man, it's OK, basta yung best namin pinu-push namin," said Aseo, who had eight kills and four aces.
Red Bascon finished with eight markers while Abegail Segui and Frances Mordi added six points each for Adamson, which annexed the National Invitationals Cebu Leg two months ago.
The Lady Falcons battle the Invitationals Batangas Leg champions on Friday at the same venue when the preliminary round of the league's centerpiece tournament, backed by Shakey's Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea, comes to a close.
Jazmine Palalon and Jayde Dela Cruz scored seven and six points, respectively, to pace Arellano, which ended its campaign with a 1-2 win-loss record.
Action between College of St. Benilde and Ateneo in the 2025 SSL Preseason Unity Cup, October 9, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/Shakey's
Meanwhile, College of Saint Benilde rallied from a set down and survived an extended fourth frame in an 18-25, 25-13, 25-23, 33-31, victory over Ateneo de Manila University to complete a three-game sweep of Pool D.
The Lady Blazers turned to veteran Zam Nolasco for the finishing blows in the furious fourth set race to the finish to emerge unscathed in the group stage of the competition.
CSB squandered three match point advantages and had to fight through five set point deficits.
Nolasco tied the fourth frame one last time at 31 with a booming kill before shutting the door on Zey Pacia to push the Lady Blazers to match point.
The two-hour, two-minute encounter ended when Pacia smashed her spike attempt straight to the net.
Nolasco had 19 points from 15 kills and four kill blocks, Shahanna Lleses added 12 markers while Rhea Densing scored 11 for the four-time NCAA champion CSB.
Ateneo slid to a 1-1 card despite the 19-point effort of Ana Hermosura and 17 markers by Pacia. Faye Nisperos chipped in 14 points in a lost cause.
The Blue Eagles are in a must-win situation in their second round bid when they face also-ran San Sebastian College-Recoletos (0-2) on Friday.