University of Santo Tomas punched the last championship ticket after sweeping Adamson University, 25-22, 25-22, 25-20, in the semifinals of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Preseason Unity Cup semifinals on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Marga Altea’s impeccable net defense complemented the red-hot attacking of Angge Poyos to bring the Tigresses back to the finals for the first time in two years for another crack at ending the dynastic rule of four-peat-seeking National University.
The twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs booted out Far Eastern University, 25-20, 27-25, 25-21, in the other semis pairing to remain on the right track of completing a second straight season sweep after their earlier conquest of the SSL National Invitationals Davao Leg.
Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series is on November 8 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Altea had a solid outing manning the net, highlighted by three straight kill blocks to seal the victory as twice-to-beat UST hosted a block party to frustrate the Lady Falcons.
Jurado led the Tigresses, who tallied 12 kill blocks, with 14 points built on 12 attacks and two kill blocks.
Altea scored four of her eight markers from kill blocks. Xyza Gula and Julia Balingit chipped in seven points each to help UST string seven straight victories since dropping its tournament opener against University of the Philippines.
‘Since our first loss to UP, it really clicked for us that we can’t let that kind of performance happen again-we know we can do better,’ said Altea. ‘I think that’s where our composure started to show, and you can really see our improvements. We just have to keep that going and stay dedicated in training.’
Altea gave UST a 23-18 lead in the third set off a well-timed denial against Adamson’s Frances Mordi. The Lady Falcons retaliated with back-to-back kills to close the gap to just three, but Altea shut the door on Mordi in the last two plays to send Adamson packing.
‘Adamson is definitely not an easy opponent,’ Altea added. ‘I think we still need to work on our team chemistry, and we had a lot of lapses, especially in our serves. Our biggest challenge right now is minimizing our errors, so we really need to keep improving.’
UST had a hard time shaking off Adamson in the second frame after controlling the opening set. Balingit shattered the deadlock at 22 with a backrow hit followed by a Poyos kill block on Abegail Segui before Gula landed a service winner for a 2-0 match advantage.
Newly appointed SSL Ambassador Shaina Nitura relentlessly challenged the Tigresses’ defense to no avail.
Nitura, who took over the role of NU product and Alas Pilipinas teammate Bella Belen, pounded 13 attacks to finish with a team-high 14 points while Mordi had 10 markers for Adamson.
The Lady Falcons and Lady Tamaraws – winners of the National Invitationals Cebu and Batangas Legs, respectively – will try to salvage a podium finish in the battle for bronze set on Nov. 15 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the battle for fifth between UP and Ateneo, as well as the seventh-place match pitting San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde are scheduled on Nov. 8