MANILA -- Arellano University had enough firepower in the endgame to fend off Jose Rizal University and claim a win in their debut in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Chiefs opened Pool B with a tough 25-19, 25-18, 23-25, 16-25, 15-10 win, averting a reverse sweep against the Lady Heavy Bombers.
They raced to a 4-0 set in the deciding frame before holding off JRU the rest of the way. Arellano joined Far Eastern University at the top of the pool.
Rookie Cassey Florida piled up 19 points from 17 kills and two aces to lead the Lady Chiefs, whose fire diminished after dominating the first two sets before recovering their bearing in the decider.
The Arellano Lady Chiefs celebrate against Jose Rizal University in the 2025 SSL Preseason Unity Cup, September 21, 2025 at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan. Handout/Shakey's Super League
"Mostly nag-relax kami kasi feel namin madali lang para sa amin. Kasi ‘yung first set and second set medyo relax lang kami dun. Then buti nakabawi," said Florida.
The Lady Chiefs raced to a four-point advantage, punctuated by back-to-back aces by Ishy Lacsina to open the fifth set.
Arellano answered JRU's rally to close within one with a 6-1 run for a comfortable 12-6 cushion. The Lady Bombers cut their deficit to 13-10, but Leoranne Santiago fired back with consecutive kills to seal the two-hour, 12-minute encounter.
Yen Sabanal had 12 points while Santiago got nine markers for the Lady Chiefs.
Czarina Ramos paced JRU, winless after two outings, with 19 points while Patricia Del Pilar and Nicole Deala added 15 and 13 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, University of Perpetual Help bounced back from an opening set setback to beat San Sebastian College, 30-32, 25-16, 25-16, 25-18, in Pool D action on Saturday.
Shaila Omipon led two other Lady Altas in double figures with 15 points, 14 coming from kills.
Cyrille Almeniana and Jaz Lagmay added 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for Perpetual.
Lagmay hosted a block party, scoring seven of the Lady Altas' 13 block points.
Perpetual also took advantage of the Lady Stags' 31 errors to draw first blood in the group stage of the competition.
Katherine Santos was the lone bright spot for SSC-R after posting 20 points, 11 in the extended opening frame.