The official logo of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup was revealed on September 3, 2025, in Makati. Photo by Jose Raphael Gonzales, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern
MANILA — Sixteen collegiate schools will be battling for preseason glory in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup, commencing on September 20.
Ten teams will be from the NCAA, while six schools from the UAAP will participate in the preseason contest. Notably missing this edition are two UAAP universities, namely De La Salle University and University of the East.
They will be divided into four groups, playing in a single-round robin format in the preliminary round.
Here are the groupings for the preliminaries:
POOL A: National University (defending champion), Emilio Aguinaldo College, San Beda University, Lyceum of the Philippines University
POOL B: Far Eastern University, Arellano University, Adamson University, Jose Rizal University
POOL C: University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines, Mapua University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran
POOL D: College of Saint Benilde, Ateneo de Manila University, San Sebastian College, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta
READ: Volleyball: NU turns back UP to rule Davao leg of SSL Nat'l Invitationals
A round-robin play will take place in order to determine their rankings in the quarterfinals. The top two teams after this round are given a quarterfinal bonus, granting them a twice-to-beat advantage.
The semifinals and battle for bronze are knockout battles, while the championship round is a best-of-three series.
READ: Volleyball: FEU sweeps St. Benilde, tops Batangas leg of Nat'l Invitationals
READ: Volleyball: Lady Tams set sights on bigger prizes after triumph in Batangas
University of Santo Tomas' Detdet Pepito and Reg Jurado, and National University's Lams Lamina at the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup on September 3, 2025, in Makati. Photo by Jose Raphael Gonzales, ABS-CBN News Digital Intern
As announced during the tourney's press conference on Wednesday in Buendia, Makati, the tournament will hold an All-Star Weekend featuring past and present collegiate stars.
"We want to set a weekend where we will be inviting the stars of different teams and of course, stars from the past," said Dr. Ian Laurel, president and chairman of SSL organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES).
"[Ito'y] para maalala rin natin kung paano tayo nagsimula, and connect it to how we see our future with these new, young, and up-and-coming players," he added.
A new tournament logo was also revealed during the event.
The Preseason Unity Cup will mark the culmination of another SSL season, which started at the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League, and then had a three-leg National Invitationals held in Mindanao, Visayas and Luzon.