MANILA — National University–Nazareth School (NUNS) continued its dominance in girls’ volleyball after sweeping both the 2025 Rebisco Volleyball League (RVL) National and Invitational Finals, using the twin championships as momentum builders for upcoming tournaments.
Fresh from winning the UAAP Season 88 girls’ volleyball title last December, the Lady Bullpups quickly returned to competition following the Christmas break and opened their 2026 campaign with back-to-back RVL crowns.
NUNS began its RVL run by advancing through the NCR regional finals, where it once again faced Far Eastern University–Diliman. The Lady Bullpups defeated FEU-D in the regional championship game on January 10, earning the right to represent Metro Manila in the 12-team National Finals that opened on January 17.
The Lady Bullpups completed a strong National Finals campaign by dethroning two-time defending champion Bacolod Tay Tung in straight sets, 25-15, 29-27, 25-20, in the championship match on January 22. The victory secured NUNS the national title and the Php 100,000 champion’s prize, while Bacolod settled for the Php 50,000 runner-up award.
Two days later, NUNS proved its dominance was no fluke by again sweeping Bacolod in the Invitational Finals title match, 25-23, 26-24, 25-15, to complete a nine-game sweep across both tournaments this season.
The Lady Bullpups’ championship run came despite limited preparation time, with head coach Ray Karl Dimaculangan noting that the team entered the National Finals with only four days of training.
The RVL crowns marked NUNS’ second championship in the country’s premier 18-and-under girls’ volleyball tournament, following its first title in 2022. The tournament is backed by Rebisco and Allianz.
In the National Finals third-place match, De La Salle Lipa recovered from an opening-set loss to beat University of San Jose–Recoletos, 21-25, 25-22, 25-11, 25-21, earning the Php 25,000 prize.
Davao City National High School finished fifth overall and was the only team to take a set off NUNS in the National Finals. Iligan City National High School placed sixth, followed by California Academy, Holy Trinity College, Linao National High School, and Immaculate Conception Academy.
Despite falling short of the championship, Bacolod Tay Tung produced the tournament’s top individual performer. Rhose Viane Almendralejo was named National Finals Most Valuable Player and later earned selection to the 2025 RVL Select 21, a group composed of the tournament’s best players by position.
Members of the RVL Select 21 will have the opportunity to undergo a training camp and practice with Rebisco-backed professional clubs Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
With the RVL sweep, the Lady Bullpups now turn their focus to sustaining their winning form as they prepare for future competitions in the 2026 volleyball calendar.