Samantha Cantada of the National University Nazareth School (NUNS) tries to score against Tyrene Katigbak and Abegail Segui of Adamson University in the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup at the La Salle Green Hills gym on Thursday (June 5, 2025). Cantada scored nine points in leading NUNS to victory, 25-13, 25-22. (Contributed photo)
The National University Nazareth School (NUNS) Lady Bullpups delivered a commanding performance on Thursday, sweeping Adamson University 25-13, 25-22, to secure a semifinal berth in the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 at La Salle Green Hills Gym.
UAAP MVP and former Adamson standout Samantha Cantada powered NUNS with nine points, including five clutch strikes in the second set, as the newly crowned Palarong Pambansa champions notched their fifth straight win in style.
“The pressure was intense since I was up against my former school,” Cantada admitted. “But I’m proud I kept my composure and helped my team pull through.”
Cantada’s service ace sparked a critical 9-3 run that leveled the second set at 19-all. Though the Lady Baby Falcons briefly regained the lead at 21-20, NUNS closed strong behind a clutch block by Jenelyn Jacob on Ellaine Gonzalvo to seal the win.
“We constantly remind each other not to rush or relax,” Cantada said. “Just because we won the Palaro doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. We came here with a goal—and it’s not finished yet.”
Jacob and Harlyn Serneche added seven points apiece for NUNS, who now prepare for a semifinal clash with the undefeated Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) squad on Friday. EAC, behind Angel Joy Perez’s explosive 17-point outing, took care of King’s Montessori School with a 25-22, 25-16 win.
In other Division 1 action, Bacolod Tay Tung survived a tight battle against FEU-Diliman, 25-22, 27-25, to stay unbeaten and book a semifinal date with De La Salle-Lipa. Camila Bartolome and Rhose Almendralejo led the Thunderbolts with eight and seven points, respectively.
La Salle-Lipa pulled off a thrilling three-set win over previously unbeaten Arellano University, 25-23, 17-25, 25-19, thanks to the efforts of Feliss Sumague and Kyle Aldovino.
With the losses, Adamson, King’s Montessori, FEU-Diliman, and Arellano drop to the classification rounds.
Division 2 heats up
Over in Division 2, the semifinal cast is now complete.
Immaculate Conception Academy overpowered Miriam College, 25-19, 25-20, while Everest International Academy edged Assumption Antipolo, 25-20, 25-22, to set up a high-stakes semis showdown.
St. Paul College-Pasig also advanced after defeating La Salle Green Hills, 25-17, 25-22. They’ll face Domuschola International School, which overcame a second-set hiccup to outlast De La Salle-Zobel B, 25-19, 11-25, 25-13.
