Volleyball: NU makes quick work of Arellano for third straight win

MANILA (UPDATED) — National University cruised to a third straight win in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Saturday, overpowering Arellano University in straight sets at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. 

The Lady Bulldogs survived a tough challenge early in the second set en route to a 25-12, 25-16, 25-14 win that kept them unbeaten in Pool A.

Chams Maaya finished with 10 points on six spikes, two aces and two kill blocks to lead NU, which has yet to drop a set.

“Nagpo-focus kami sa sarili namin kung paano pa namin mai-improve ang skills namin kasi every game, every set, every point ay kailangang mag-improve kami,” Maaya said.

Celine Marsh added eight points, Arah Panique had seven markers while Denesse Daylisan scored six for the Lady Bulldogs, who completed a sweep of their back-to-back assignments and inched closer to securing a playoffs seat.    

NU found itself struggling at the start of the second frame and trailed the Lady Chiefs, 7-11, after a Samantha Maranan offspeed attack.

The Lady Bulldogs answered with nine straight points capped by a Daylisan kill for a 16-11 lead to take control of the frame.

Smelling blood, NU dictated the tempo of the third set and built an insurmountable 20-9 advantage on its way to closing an 85-minute victory.

Arellano absorbed a second straight defeat for a 1-2 record in the tournament.

Maranan scored six points while Aleah Alipan and Keisha Abitria finished with five each for the Lady Chiefs.

In the second game, University of Santo Tomas repulsed Mapua University, 25-15, 25-20, 25-21, for its second straight win in Pool B.

The Tigresses pulled through with the sweep despite a tough challenge given by the Lady Cardinals in the third frame to stay unbeaten.

Ashlee Knop led all scorers with 13 points on 10 kills and three kill blocks while Marga Altea and Avril Bron added nine and seven markers, respectively, for UST.  

“I think nag-struggle kami sa third set coverage namin pero pinaalala lang din ng mga coaches yung pattern and sistema na kailangan naming i-adopt,” Knop said.  

The Tigresses had a hard time shaking off Mapua in the third frame. The Lady Cardinals trimmed their deficit to two, 23-21, with a Raissa Ricablanca kill.

Mapua, however, shot itself in the foot with a service error by Ricablanca and an attack miscue by Andrea Gabrinao.

The Lady Cardinals slipped to a 1-1 mark.

Juliana Estudillo had six points while Francheska Esteban and Feighanne Garcia added five markers each for Mapua.