Far Eastern University’s Faida Bakanke (right) tries to score against College of Saint Benilde’s Zamantha Nolasco and Shahanna Lleses in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Luzon leg final on Sunday (Aug. 31, 2025) at the University of Batangas Millennium gym. The Lady Tamaraws won, 25-21, 25-16, 25-19, while Bankanke earned the Best Player award. (SSL photo)
Far Eastern University (FEU) proved too strong for College of Saint Benilde (CSB), sweeping their way to the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Batangas leg title with a 25-21, 25-16, 25-19 victory Sunday night at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym.
Gerzel Petallo and Jazlyn Ellarina spearheaded the Lady Tamaraws’ balanced attack with 13 and 12 points, respectively, as FEU improved on its runner-up finish from last year. Congolese recruit Faida Bakanke, who was named Best Player of the leg, chipped in 10 points alongside Alyzza Devosora, while veteran setter Christine Ubaldo orchestrated the offense with 14 excellent sets and added five points of her own.
“Overall, the team showed a good performance. We had some struggles with passing in the first set, but this tournament gave us a lot of lessons,” said FEU head coach Tina Salak. “We need to polish our small balls, our blocking, and especially our passing.”
CSB, the four-time NCAA champion, struggled to find rhythm against FEU’s relentless play. Zamantha Nolasco top-scored with eight points, while Rhea Densing and Chenae Basarte added seven and six points, respectively.
Earlier, Letran secured third place after dispatching host University of Batangas in straight sets, 25-22, 25-15, 25-20.
Verenice Colendra carried the Lady Knights with a stellar 21-point performance, highlighted by 17 attacks. She was backed by Mitzi Panangin with 12 points, Bea Maluto with eight, and Nizelle Martin with seven.
On the other side, UB leaned on Kyle Macatangay’s 16-point effort, powered by 12 attacks and four aces, while Riza Drice scored 10 points, all from spikes.
Reflecting on the team’s campaign, Letran’s Finnish head coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki was pleased with the steady progress: “Our first game of the tournament was difficult because we weren’t in it at all. But yesterday, everyone stepped up. This match, I wanted to give everyone a chance to play, and I like the improvement I’m seeing.”
The Batangas stop was part of the SSL’s three-leg invitational series backed by Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea. Previous legs were won by National University (Davao) and Adamson University (Cebu).
Next up, the SSL Collegiate Pre-season Championship is set to kick off on September 20.