Manila: The National University Nazareth School (NUNS) dethroned Adamson University, 25-13, 25-22, on Thursday to reach the semifinal round in the 2025 Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. Reigning UAAP MVP Samantha Cantada scored nine points, including five in the second set, as the recently crowned Palarong Pambansa Lady Bullpups rolled to their fifth straight win.
According to Philippines News Agency, the pressure was immense for Cantada, given her history with Adamson University. "The pressure is too much for me because I'm playing against my former school. Good thing I was able to overcome the pressure and handled it properly," said Cantada, who led Adamson to a runner-up finish before moving to NUNS. Her performance, highlighted by a decisive ace, helped the Lady Bullpups recover from a 9-3 run that tied the score at 19-all in the second set. Although the Lady Baby Falcons briefly regained the lead at 21-20, NUNS responded swiftly, sealing the match with a crucial block from Jenelyn Jacob against Ellaine Gonzalvo.
Cantada emphasized the team's focus and determination, stating, "Every time we make an error, we remind each other that we don't have to rush and we can't relax. It's not because we won the Palaro or the confidence we have from the Palaro that we will relax. And it's not over yet because we have a goal here at Shakey's." Jacob and Harlyn Serneche supported with seven points each for NUNS, who are set to face unbeaten Emilio Aguinaldo College in the upcoming knockout best-of-five sets Final Four.
In related matches, Angel Joy Perez contributed significantly for Emilio Aguinaldo College with 17 points on 15 attacks and two aces, as the team secured a 25-22, 25-16 victory over King's Montessori School. Bacolod Tay Tung also advanced to the next round after defeating Far Eastern University-Diliman, 25-22, 27-25. Camila Bartolome and Rhose Almendralejo were key players, scoring eight and seven points respectively, setting up a semifinal clash with De La Salle-Lipa. De La Salle-Lipa triumphed over unbeaten Arellano University, thanks to strong performances from Feliss Sumague and Kyle Aldovino, with a 25-23, 17-25, 25-19 win.
Teams such as Adamson, KMS, FEU-Diliman, and Arellano have been relegated to the classification round. Meanwhile, in Division 2, Immaculate Conception Academy defeated Miriam College, 25-19, 25-20, and Everest International Academy outplayed Assumption Antipolo, 25-20, 25-22, setting up a semifinal duel. Additionally, St. Paul College-Pasig overcame La Salle Green Hills, 25-17, 25-22, advancing to face Domuschola International School, which beat De La Salle-Zobel B in a competitive match, 25-19, 11-25, 25-13.
