Mandaluyong City: National University Nazareth School (NUNS) conquered Bacolod Tay Tung High School, 27-25, 16-25, 21-25, 30-28, 15-13, in the finals of the 2025 Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 at La Salle Green Hills gym in Mandaluyong City on Saturday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Lady Bullpups relied on reigning University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Most Valuable Player Sam Cantada in the last two sets. It was their third title after ruling UAAP Season 87 in December 2024 and the Ilocos Norte Palarong Pambansa, also against Tay Tung, in late May.
Cantada delivered 21 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and three aces. Denesse Daylisan also had 21 points, while Jenelyn Jacob and Harlyn Serneche added 14 and 12 points, respectively. "The players didn't really give up. Their eagerness and heart are there to still get the win even if we are down. They showed their character again," NUNS coach Karl Dimaculangan said in an interview.
Rhose Almendralejo scored a league-record 35 points for Bacolod Tay Tung. Ana Hermosura had 20 points, followed by Camila Bartolome with 12 and Alexa Bertolano with 11. In the battle for third place, De La Salle-Lipa defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College, 25-22, 25-12, 25-20.
In the classification round, Adamson University turned back Far Eastern University-Diliman, 24-26, 21-25, 25-18, 35-33, 17-15, for fifth place; while Arellano University won by default over King's Montessori School for seventh place.
Meanwhile, Domuschola International School triumphed over Everest International Academy, 25-11, 26-24, 25-17, to become the inaugural Division 2 champion. Naihma Banal scored 19 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and an ace, while Isabella Asistio and Micaela Pingris scored nine and seven points, respectively. Pingris is the daughter of former Philippine Basketball Association and national player Marc Pingris.
Julia Rodriguez only had five points for Everest. Both teams were promoted to Division 1 for next year. Immaculate Conception Academy clobbered St. Paul College-Pasig, 25-12, 25-14, 25-16, to claim the bronze medal.
In the classification round, De La Salle-Zobel B downed Assumption Antipolo, 13-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-22, for fifth place; while La Salle Green Hills trounced Miriam College, 25-23, 15-25, 25-20, 25-19, for seventh place.
