The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate a point against UST in Game 2 of the 2025 Shakey's Super League Preseason Unity Cup Finals, November 15, 2025 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA (UPDATED) -- National University continues to build towards the UAAP season as they claimed the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Saturday night.
The Lady Bulldogs overturned a one-set deficit and displayed veteran poise in the final frame to break the hearts of the University of Santo Tomas, 22-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-23, 15-10, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The five-set win completed a sweep of the Finals for the Lady Bulldogs, who won all 10 of their assignments in the preseason tournament.
This marks the fourth straight time that National U has won the preseason competition.
It was an impressive achievement for National U, which is regaining its form after seeing superstars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon graduate.
In their place, veteran spiker Vange Alinsug led the way. She came alive in the fourth set to help the Lady Bulldogs force a decider, and finished with 19 points on 13 kills, 3 blocks, and 3 aces.
Rookie Sam Cantada was unstoppable, putting up 24 points on 20 attacks. Kaye Bombita finished with 14 points, while veteran playmaker Lams Lamina was credited with 25 excellent sets on her way to earning tournament Most Valuable Player honors as well as the Best Setter award.
"We're happy kasi nag-champion kami. Congrats din sa UST because they've been playing well, malakas din talaga sila. Na-gauge namin yung kaya naming gawin pa," said first year NU head coach Regine Diego.
"Hopefully, you get to see more of us in the future. Hopefully, we can defend our title not just here but also in the UAAP," added Diego, whose next mission is to steer NU to a three-peat in the UAAP next year.
NU shattered a 2-2 tie in the fifth set with an 8-3 run, aided by UST's four costly errors, to take a 10-5 advantage.
An unsuccessful net touch challenge called by the Tigresses mid-rally gave the Lady Bulldogs a 12-8 cushion. Bombita and Alinsug pushed NU at championship point, 14-9, before UST saved a point in the next play.
Tigresses middle Mary Anne Coronado crumbled under pressure and overcooked her serve as the Lady Bulldogs erupted in celebration after reigning supreme in the competition.
UST, which missed the services of Angge Poyos due to a sprain she suffered during practice, got 16 points from Xyza Gula, Julia Balingit had 13 while Regina Jurado posted 12 markers.
Marga Altea added 11 points in UST's second silver haul after a runner-up finish in 2023.
Jardio bagged the Best Libero award and Jurado was named Best Opposite Spiker. Other individual award winners were Adamson University's Shaina Nitura (1stBest Outside Spiker), Gula (2nd Best Outside Spiker), NU's Chams Maaya (1st Best Middle Blocker) and UST's Marga Altea (2nd Best Middle Blocker).