Manila: National University Nazareth School (NUNS) and Bacolod Tay Tung secured victories against their respective opponents on Friday, setting the stage for a championship showdown in the 2025 Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1.
According to Philippines News Agency, NUNS overcame Emilio Aguinaldo College with set scores of 25-16, 25-15, and 25-11, while Bacolod Tay Tung defeated De La Salle-Lipa 25-20, 25-15, 25-18 during the semifinal matches at La Salle Green Hills Gym. The highly anticipated title match between the Lady Bulldogs and the Thunderbolts will take place on Saturday. This marks their second consecutive finals encounter, following last month's Palarong Pambansa in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, where NUNS emerged victorious.
UAAP Season 87 MVP Samantha Cantada played a pivotal role for NUNS, scoring 20 points to extend their winning streak to six and halting EAC's five-game winning run. Harlyn Serneche added 11 points, with Denesse Daylisan and Rihanna Navarro contributing ten and five points, respectively. For EAC, Angel Perez led with 13 points, including seven kills, five aces, and a block.
Bacolod Tay Tung's success was fueled by Rhose Almendralejo's 18-point performance, supported by Alexa Bertolano with ten points and Donna Mae de Leon's eight points. Althea Sumague led De La Salle-Lipa with 11 points. De La Salle-Lipa will compete against EAC for the bronze medal.
In Division 2 action, Everest International Academy defeated Immaculate Conception Academy with scores of 31-29, 25-8, 25-13 to advance to the final. Julia Rodriguez contributed 14 points, consisting of 12 attacks and two aces, for Everest International Academy. They will face Domuschola International School (DIS), who won against St. Paul College-Pasig 25-23, 25-13, 25-20. By reaching the Division 2 final, the Huskies and Badgers secured promotion to Division 1 next year.
In the Division 2 classification round, Assumption Antipolo overcame Miriam College 11-25, 25-23, 27-25, 25-14, while De La Salle-Zobel B defeated La Salle Green Hills 11-25, 25-14, 25-17, 28-26. Assumption Antipolo and De La Salle-Zobel B will compete for fifth place.
