Race for quarters twice-to-beat advantage erupts
MANILA, Philippines — A busy quadruple-header playdate kicks off the chase for the quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup Round of 8 on Sunday at the Imus Sports Complex.
Unbeaten defending champion National University gets an early test in Pool E when it takes on a dangerous and equally formidable College of Saint Benilde at 3 p.m.
The Lady Bulldogs cruised in the elimination round, sweeping their four assignments without dropping a single set in their five-peat bid in the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.
NU head coach Norman Miguel knows the Lady Blazers have the personnel to match up against his squad. However, he sees the game as a battle of roster depth and bench contribution given the tournament’s unique all-to-play format.
“Since all-to-play ang format, having your other players stepping up on their game is of huge importance kasi not all the time our senior players will play their A-game, and if you have your second team playing competitively as well, malaking advantage para sa amin,” Miguel said.
CSB, which won two of its three matches in the opening round, is one of the only two NCAA teams to advance in the playoffs of the competition, which has the Philippine Sports Commission, the Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports and 12 Beyond Production as technical partners.
“Having this chance and opportunity to play against UAAP teams, that’s a big thing for us,” said Lady Blazers captain and main setter Zen Basilio.
Meanwhile, University of the Philippines rides the crest of its unblemished first-round run as it squares off against reigning NCAA champion Letran at 11 a.m. in the Pool F curtain-raiser.
The Fighting Maroons won all three elims games, while the Lady Knights secured their Round of 8 berth by winning three of their four assignments in the first stage of pool play.
On the other hand, undefeated University of Santo Tomas tests the mettle of rebuilding Ateneo De Manila University at 1 p.m. in Pool F.
The Golden Tigresses, last year’s runner-up, topped their pool in the elims after winning three matches, while the Blue Eagles punched their playoffs ticket by eliminating San Sebastian College-Recoletos in a four-set decision last week.
An exciting nightcap at 5 p.m. pits last season’s battle for third protagonists Far Eastern University and Adamson University in Pool E.
The Lady Tamaraws, still perfect after three outings, seek to replicate their 2025 bronze medal match win over the Lady Falcons, who are on a payback mission to draw closer to clinching a crossover quarters bonus.
Teams in each group play in a single-round robin format, with the top two teams in each group securing quarters incentives.
All games in the competition are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports. TMT
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