The FEU Lady Tamaraws celebrate a point against Arellano in the 2025 SSL Preseason Unity Cup, September 27, 2025 at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA -- Far Eastern University made quick work of Arellano University for their second straight triumph in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on Saturday.
Behind a strong effort from Faida Bakanke, the Lady Tamaraws erased a six-point deficit in the third set en route to a 25-22, 25-17, 25-16 result at the Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan.
Bakanke, a Congolese student-athlete, scored eight of her game-high 15 points in the third set. Playing in just two sets, she tallied 13 kills and two blocks.
The Lady Tams have yet to drop a set in the tournament.
The Lady Tamaraws recovered their bearings just in time after sloppy starts in all sets, including an early struggle in the third frame where they went down to a six-point hole.
"We had a slow start and Ate Tin (Ubaldo) told us we should move and give our best. She told us to follow the instructions our coaches gave us on how to spike and do everything," Bakanke said.
"We should do what our coaches told us to do. We know that we should do our best from our serve to our block also," she added.
Gerzel Petallo scored seven and Mitzi Panangin had five markers for FEU. Chipping in four points each for the Lady Tamaraws were Cla Loresco, Ia David and Alyzza Devosora, who smashed the closing back-to-back kills.
FEU went behind, 3-9, in the third set after Lady Chiefs middle blocker Leoranne Santiago scored off a strong push.
The Lady Tamaraws answered with a red-hot 22-7 finishing kick to seal the 75-minute encounter 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.
The Lady Tamaraws eye to complete a sweep of the group stage and secure a spot in the next round in a marquee clash with National Invitationals Cebu Leg champion Adamson University on October 3 at the Paco Arena.
Arellano absorbed its first loss in two games.
Karylle Melendrez was the lone Lady Chiefs player in double figures with 12 points, 11 coming from kills. Yen Sabanal and Gae Segovia added five markers each for Arellano, which came off a five-set win over listless Jose Rizal University last week.