By Jean Malanum
MANILA – University of Santo Tomas came from behind to take down College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22, and rule the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals at Playtime FilOil Centre in San Juan on Sunday.
The Golden Tigresses won all their seven matches.
Team captain Regina Jurado delivered 21 points on 18 attacks and two aces, while Most Valuable Player Angge Poyos chipped in 20 points on 16 attacks, two aces and two blocks as the Golden Tigresses snared their first title after a third-place finish in the inaugural edition three years ago.
Rookie Kim Rubin added 12 points and Blessing Unekwe had 10 points, including seven blocks.
“I told them to just forget about what happened in the first set. I know how they play. We know what they can do as long as they focus on our investment. We just adjusted the team a little bit so at least the system is adapting. This is a good start,” UST coach Shaq Delos Santos said after the almost two-hour match.
“We’re really happy because we know our preparation still has a long way to go. There’s still a lot of work to be done. Winning the championship right away is a good sign. We’ll use this as motivation to work even harder for the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines),” he added.
UST also prevailed over CSB in the elimination round, 25-22, 25-15, 15-25, 25-12.
Camila Bartolome paced CSB with 16 points, followed by Mary Grace Borromeo with 12 points.
UST’s high school team also ruled the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup and Juniors National Invitationals.
Meanwhile, Letran College defeated Australian guest team Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, to settle for the bronze medal.
Judiel Nitura scored 19 points, all on attacks, in leading the Lady Knights to their second straight third-place finish.
Reeza Abayon had 12 points on 11 attacks and an ace, Carly Nathalie Tizon added seven points and Hizki Flores made 11 excellent sets for the reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champions.
Flores was named Best Setter while other individual winners were Enderun Colleges’ Althea Botor (Best Outside Hitter), Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club’s Le Thi Diem Phuong (Best Opposite), CSB’s Fiona Inocentes (Best Middle Blocker) and Southern Storm’s Milla Smith (Best Libero). (PNA)
