The Ateneo Blue Eagles celebrate against Perpetual Help in the 2025 SSL Preseason Unity Cup, September 27, 2025 at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA -- Ateneo de Manila University is off to a strong start in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup, after taking care of business against Perpetual Help on Saturday.
The Blue Eagles recovered from a near-meltdown in the second set to register a 25-16, 26-24, 25-17 triumph at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Faye Nisperos led the way for the Blue Eagles with a 13-point explosion highlighted by 12 kills.
"Naniwala lang kami sa selves namin and sa teammates namin. Tiwala lang ang ginawa na namin," said Nisperos, as they seized the solo lead in Pool D.
"Lalaban kami ngayon kasi sa mga leagues namin before this nagkakapaan pa kami and all. Pero siyempre kailangang mag-step up each one of us. Kapag naniwala kami sa sarili namin, malalaro namin yung laro namin," she added.
Ateneo, which finished third in the SSL National Invitationals Cebu Leg, encountered some difficulty in the closing stretch of the second frame after the Lady Altas forced an extension, 24-24.
Alana Tan-Chi got a lucky break after her overcooked reception landed at Perpetual’s front row. Dona Mae De Leon smashed the finishing blow off a quick attack for a 2-0 match lead.
Ateneo then cruised in the third frame to complete its 85-minute demolition in the competition, supported by Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, Summit, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, Eurotel- Apo View Hotel, Batangas Country Club, Executive Optical, Baic Auto Philippines, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Zey Pacia had eight points, Belle Chuatico and De Leon had seven markers each while Gena Hora and May Tsunashima added six apiece for the Blue Eagles.
The Lady Altas fell to a 1-1 win-loss slate.
Nobody on the Perpetual side reached double-figure scoring, with Shaila Omipon and Cyrille Alemeniana finishing with six points each.