NU, UST secure semis seats in Shakey's volley tilt

Arah Panique erupted for 15 points to power defending champion National University past Letran, 25-18, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, in the quarterfinals to book a Final Four seat in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Saturday at the Muntinlupa Sports Center.

The veteran winger pumped in 11 kills, two aces and two kill blocks as the twice-to-beat Lady Bulldogs extended their unbeaten run to eight while drawing closer to a five-peat in the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.

NU shook off the gritty Lady Knights with a decisive 10-1 run, flipping a 10-11 deficit into a 20-12 advantage in the fourth set. The Lady Bulldogs repelled Letran’s late fightback to set up a knockout semifinals match against the survivor of the Adamson University and University of the Philippines quarterfinals rubbermatch, still being played as of press time on Sunday.

Final Four action begins on November 21 at the  Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Nothing to lose na ang Letran so ang mindset namin is to ibigay ang best namin, kasi may pinanghahawakan pa kaming title,” Panique said.

Vange Alinsug scored eight of her nine points on kills while Chams Maaya also contributed nine markers for the Lady Bulldogs. Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan chipped in seven points each for NU, which survived a 30-error outing.

The Lady Bulldogs had a chance to finish the duel in straight sets after taking a 23-22 lead in the third frame, but Letran mounted a closing 3-0 rally to extend the match.

A Verenicce Collendra hit sparked the counterattack, followed by a Gia Maquilang kill before Celine Marsh sent her spike long.

Judiel Nitura scored all her 15 points on spikes while Maquilang finished with 12 markers for the reigning NCAA champion.  

Meanwhile, University of Santo Tomas dominated College of Saint Benilde, 25-17, 25-15, 25-13, to advance in the semifinals of the competition, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners, on November 21 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Regina Jurado exploded for 14 points on 13 attacks and one kill block while Angge Poyos added 10 markers as the undefeated Golden Tigresses set a semis date against Far Eastern University, which booted out Ateneo De Manila University, 25-18, 19-25, 25-15, 25-13, in their quarters pairing.

UST minimized its mistakes in the 77-minute victory, committing only eight errors while peppering the Lady Blazers with 47 attack points and seven aces.

Arriana Pua and Camila Bartolome paced CSB with 10 points each.

All games in the competition are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.