FILE–Adamson Lady Falcons’ Shaina Nitura. They are headed to the Shakey’s Super League Cebu leg. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines —Adamson, bannered by Alas Pilipinas star Shaina Nitura, won’t rest on its laurels when it faces University of San Carlos to open the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Cebu leg on Friday at Mandaue Sports Complex.
Coach JP Yude’s marching order to the young Lady Falcons is not to take any team lightly, especially the reigning Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) champions Lady Warriors, when they collide at 7 p.m.
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“I always tell the team not to be overconfident. We all know that everyone here wants to beat their opponents. And of course, it’s their hometown too. We’re expecting a good, tough match,” said Yude in Filipino.
Nitura seeks to translate her fruitful stints from Alas Pilipinas in the AVC Nations Cup and SEA V-League when the Lady Falcons try to reach the top of SSL since their runner-up finish in 2023.
USC, on the other hand, hopes to bounce back after a winless stint last year.
READ: Record-smashing first season is just the start for Shaina Nitura
Meanwhile, Ateneo battles the University of Southern Philippines Foundation at 5 p.m.
The Blue Eagles parade new recruits Ana Francesca Hermosura and Dona Mae De Leon from the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League runner-up Bacolod Tay Tung.
Cebu, a known volleyball hotbed in the Visayas, hosts the three-day leg, which features a single round-robin format. The team with the best record or match points, if needed, will be declared champion.
“Cebu has been the center of volleyball in the Visayas for the longest time. Every year, we invite the best teams from their provincial championship, which is CESAFI; their top two teams represent them in our tournament in Manila. But this time it’s different. We’re giving them the home court advantage,” said league organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES) president Dr. Ian Laurel.
National University dominated the opening leg in Davao City three weeks ago, sweeping University of the Philippines, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, and the Davao Selection, which was composed of players from Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College, and the University of Mindanao.
Lady Bulldogs rookie Sam Cantada was named Best Player of the Davao Leg.
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SSL Invitationals will visit Batangas for its final leg next month.