By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense Celine Marsh took center stage as defending champion National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs booked a return trip to the semifinals of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup after dispatching the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers, 26-24, 25-27, 25-18, 25-16, at the San Andres Gym in Manila on Tuesday, October 21.
Marsh rose to the occasion for the four-peat-seeking and twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs, firing a game-high 23 points on 21 attacks and two blocks in the absence of regular starters Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan, who are competing for the national team in the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.
“It was not our A-game. Madami pa talaga kaming need i-improve … need mai-connect and stuff. Ang ginawa namin sa mga remaining sets, we really needed to be composed para makuha ang match na ito,” Marsh said.
After splitting the first two frames, NU regained control in the third behind Marsh’s consistent scoring and the steady play of Abegail Pono, who finished with 12 points.
Alexa Mata and Negrense Myrtle Escanlar added 11 markers each, while Chams Maaya chipped in 10 as the Lady Bulldogs remained unbeaten in seven matches.
NU also gave captain Vange Alinsug a rest in the victory, displaying the team’s depth ahead of the semifinals where they will carry a twice-to-beat advantage.
San Beda’s Angel Habacon paced her squad with 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome NU’s balanced attack.
Meanwhile, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses joined the Lady Bulldogs in the Final 4 after sweeping Ateneo de Manila University, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21, to clinch their fourth straight semifinal appearance.
Regina Jurado led UST with 13 points, while Xyza Gula added 11 as the Tigresses moved within reach of a championship return since their runner-up finish in 2023.
Both NU and UST will head into the semifinals armed with twice-to-beat incentives for topping their respective pools after the second round.
NU will face the winner between Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines, while UST awaits the victor of the Adamson – College of Saint Benilde matchup./ASC, WDJ