By Jean Malanum

HARD-EARNED. College of Saint Benilde’s Camila Bartolome (left) scores against Perpetual Help’s Charisse Enrico (No. 2) and Pauline Reyes (hidden) in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Unity Cup at Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday (Oct. 5, 2025). The Lady Blazers won, 28-26, 26-24, 25-18, for a 2-0 card in Pool D and a slot to the second round. (Contributed photo)

MANILA – College of Saint Benilde (CSB) moved to the next round after defeating Perpetual Help, 28-26, 26-24, 25-18, in Pool D of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup at Paco Arena in Manila on Sunday.

Zamantha Nolasco delivered 12 points off seven attacks, three blocks and two aces for the four-time National Collegiate Athletic Association champion CSB, which topped Pool D and will join Pool C leader University of the Philippines in the second round.

“We knew what coach (Jerry Yee) was going to say, so we just talked to each other. Our lapses in the first and second sets were probably because we were just relaxing. During the third set, we really brought out our game and we wanted to finish,” Nolasco said.

Fiona Inocentes chipped in 10 points while Camila Bartolome and Shahanna Lleses added eight and seven points, respectively, for the Lady Blazers.

CSB will eye a three-game group sweep against Ateneo de Manila University (1-0) on Thursday.

Shaila Omipon scored 11 points while Charisse Enrico and Liz Villanueva contributed six points each for Perpetual (1-2). (PNA)