Lady Tamaraws banking on boosted experience, chemistry from SSL crown

MANILA, Philippines — Newly crowned champion Far Eastern University wants no let-up in its preparation for a UAAP redemption even after dominating the Batangas leg of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.

In finer form than ever, mentor Tina Salak and the Lady Tamaraws shift their focus to a title bid in the SSL Collegiate Pre-Season Championship on September 20 against UAAP and NCAA contenders ahead of the UAAP Season 88 early next year.

“Hopefully, madala namin ‘yung experience at maturity ng team, especially ‘yung chemistry. ‘Yun naman talaga magiging foundation namin throughout ng liga,” said the Lady Tamaraws legend Salak as FEU drubbed St. Benilde, 25-21, 25-16, 25-19, to complete a sweep of the SSL Luzon leg over the weekend at the University of Batangas Millennium Gym.

“We'll see kung sino ‘yung magiging ka-bracket namin for the next league. Mas exciting kasi ‘yun kasi ‘yun na ‘yung preseason for UAAP. So, labasan na talaga lahat doon ng baraha.”

A semifinalist in the UAAP and runner-up in the SSL National Invitationals last year, FEU vented its ire without dropping a single set against NCAA four-peat champion St. Benilde, Letran and host UB to reign supreme in the Batangas leg.

Reigning UAAP champion NU won the Davao Leg this year by sweeping University of the Philippines, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, and the Davao Selection, made up of standouts from Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College and the University of Mindanao.

Adamson then followed suit, ruling the Cebu leg with a similar sweep of Ateneo as well as home teams University of San Carlos and University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

Faida Bakanke was named the Best Player of the Batangas Leg for FEU to join other MVPs Shaina Nitura (Cebu leg) of Adamson and incoming rookie Sam Cantada (Davao Leg) of NU as the SSL mulls on retaining the new regional format to support provincial squads in terms of improvement and fan reception.

“The impact is really different. Malaking bagay ‘yung nailalapit natin ‘yung mga laro sa ating mga kababayan sa malalayong lugar,” said president Dr. Ian Laurel of league organizer Athletic Events and Sports Management Inc. (ACES).

“We would strongly recommend that this is how we do it each year, from now on.”

With a warm welcome and top-tier competition in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, Laural added that least three Local Government Units from Ilocos, Palawan and Cagayan de Oro have already made pitches to host next year.