The FEU Lady Tamaraws celebrate after winning the Batangas leg of the 2025 SSL National Invitationals, August 31, 2025 at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym. Handout/SSL
MANILA -- Far Eastern University got the job done on Sunday, sweeping past College of St. Benilde to rule the Batangas leg of the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym.
After settling for a runner-up finish last year, the Lady Tamaraws would not be denied this time around as they took a 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 over the Lady Blazers.
It was an impressive campaign for the Lady Tams, who did not drop a single set throughout the leg.
Against the reigning NCAA champions, they had to shake off a slow start and made crucial defensive adjustments in the ensuing frames to take control of the match.
READ: Lady Tams overpower University of Batangas to stay spotless
"Overall, maganda ang ipinakita ng team. Medyo shaky lang yung pasa namin nung first set, nag-struggle kami sa pass. Marami kaming natutunan from this tournament because kailangan naming i-polish yung mga small balls namin, block and defense namin especially yung pass," Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak said.
Best Player of the Batangas Leg Faida Bakanke, Gerzel Petallo, Jazlyn Ellarina and Alyzza Devosora led FEU's charge to silence the four-time NCAA champions Lady Blazers, who hit a brick wall after winning their first two games in the short single-round robin competition.
The Lady Tamaraws joined last year's finals tormentor National University and Adamson University, as champions in the tournament, which had stops in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.
The Lady Bulldogs led by rookie Sam Cantada ruled the Davao Leg while Shaina Nitura bannered the Lady Falcons' Cebu Leg conquest.
READ: NU turns back UP to rule Davao leg of SSL Nat'l Invitationals
READ: Adamson sweeps Ateneo to rule Cebu leg of SSL Nat'l Invitationals
FEU's Faida Bakanke in action against College of St. Benilde in the Batangas leg of the 2025 SSL National Invitationals, August 31, 2025 at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym. Handout/SSLPetallo scored 13 points, Jazlyn Ellarina fired 12 markers punctuated with the title-clinching spike, while Congolese student-athlete Bakanke and Devosora finished with 10 points each for FEU.
Veteran setter Tin Ubaldo tallied 14 excellent sets and five points for the Lady Tamaraws.
Tied at 14 in the third frame, FEU unleashed a blistering 8-1 scoring blast for a 22-17 advantage.
Camilla Bartolome strung two straight points to draw CSB closer. However, Bartolome sent her attack long on the next play that triggered the Lady Tamaraws' finishing kick.
No Lady Blazers player reached double-digit scoring. Zam Nolasco got eight points, Rhea Densing had seven markers, while Chenae Basarte finished with six.
The trio of Devosora, Petallo and Bakanke led the way in the Lady Tamaraws' closing 5-1 run that shattered a 20-20 deadlock in the opening set.
FEU used a 6-0 spurt to pull away from a slim 17-13 lead in the second frame for a commanding 2-0 match lead.
The Lady Tamaraws and Lady Blazers will return to action in the SSL Collegiate Pre-season Championship starting September 20.