Mandaluyong City: Newly crowned Palarong Pambansa champion National University Nazareth School (NUNS) launched its title campaign in the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 by securing twin victories on Monday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
According to Philippines News Agency, NUNS, led by UAAP Season 87 MVP Sam Cantada, overcame Far Eastern University-Diliman with a score of 25-19, 23 in the morning match. Cantada contributed seven points in the victory against an FEU-D team led by Ifunanya Udeagbala. The Lady Bullpups continued their winning streak in the afternoon, defeating the St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons 25-23, 25-14. Cantada scored 10 points, while teammates Jenelyn Jacob and Raine Alonzo added eight points each.
NUNS is scheduled to face University of the Philippines Integrated School (0-3) and University of Sto. Tomas (2-1) on Tuesday to conclude the Pool D play. FEU-D remains in contention with a 3-1 record, while SJI stands at 1-3.
In other matches, Bacolod Tay Tung dominated Bethel Academy 25-14, 25-16, and De La Salle-Lipa 25-18, 25-18 in Pool B. The Thunderbolts, who were runners-up to NUNS at the Palaro, will compete against Holy Rosary College (0-2) and Chiang Kai Shek (2-1) on Tuesday.
De La Salle-Lipa improved to a 1-1 record by defeating Chiang Kai Shek 25-17, 25-17 in another Pool B encounter. In Pool C, Arellano University maintained its unbeaten streak with a third consecutive win over Corpus Christi School, 25-13, 25-15, joining King’s Montessori School (3-1) in the next round.
Inaugural champion California Academy staged a comeback against De La Salle Zobel-A, winning 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, to improve to a 2-2 record, while De La Salle Zobel-A suffered its second loss in three matches.
In Pool A, Lyceum of the Philippines University secured a victory over Naga College Foundation, 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, marking their second win against two losses.
In Division 2, Miriam College surprised previously unbeaten La Salle Green Hills with a 25-23, 16-25, 25-20 win, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Maria Katipuneras recorded their first win in three matches, while the Greenies experienced their first loss after three wins.
