MANILA, Philippines — Far Eastern University clawed out of a 1-2 match hole and repulsed upset-conscious Emilio Aguinaldo College, 20-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-12, 15-6, to complete a sweep of pool play in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Lady Tamaraws had to recalibrate and get a wake-up call from the coaching staff in the fourth set before dominating the decider to finish with a perfect 3-0 win-loss record atop Pool C.
FEU joins five-peat-seeking National University, Adamson University and the second-seeded squad from Pool B in the round-robin playoffs of the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea.
Gerz Petallo scored all 25 of her points on kills in an efficient 25-of-50 spiking clip to lead the Lady Tamaraws, who survived the match despite committing 26 errors.
“Nahirapan talaga kami but it’s a big eye-opener for us since we’re like too confident that we’re strong. Pero ayun may challenges na naibigay sa amin. Marami pa talaga kami na kailangan i-improve and kailangan pang pagtrabahuhan. We’re not gonna settle for less,” Petallo said.
Ia David added 10 points while veterans Cla Loresco and Alyzza Devosora chipped in nine markers each for FEU.
Smelling blood after a dominating fourth set, the Lady Tamaraws raced to an 11-3 advantage in the fifth frame to take the fight out of the Lady Generals.
FEU reached matchpoint, 14-5, after EAC committed the last of its atrocious 29 errors.
The Lady Generals saved a point before Audrey Santos sealed the two—hour, 10-minute victory with an off the block kill.
“Kung di kami totodo ng totodo sa mga games namin, ganito talaga ang mangyayari. If we’re gonna be relaxed lang all the time, wala, ganun talaga ang mangyayari. Kailangan talaga naming todohin at ilaban bawat game,” Petallo said.
FEU sent EAC reeling to a third straight defeat for a winless campaign in 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.
Xyra Dayanan finished with 19 points on 18 kills and one ace to pace the Lady Generals.
Angelica Pasaol posted 12 points while Marinel Ramos and Ashley Toriado scored six apiece for EAC, which allowed the Lady Tamaraws to land 13 aces.
After splitting the first two sets, FEU and EAC engaged in a nip-and-tuck third frame. The Lady Tamaraws took a 23-22 advantage that Dayananan erased with back-to-back hits to bring the Lady Generals on top.
Devosora tied the set at 24 but a Dayanan kill followed by FEU's return miscue gave the frame to EAC, which took a 2-1 match lead.
The final pool stage playdate features a four-game schedule on Sunday.
All games in the competition are available live on Solar Sports. TMT
