University of Santo Tomas overcame a sluggish start before unleashing its firepower to defeat College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22, in the winner-take-all championship match of the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals on Sunday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.
The Golden Tigresses bounced back from dropping the opening set by dominating the next two frames before fending off a late challenge in the fourth to complete a perfect 7-0 campaign in the tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.
Seniors Regina Jurado and Most Valuable Player Angge Poyos led the España-based squad to its breakthrough SCNI title after settling for third place in the tournament’s inaugural edition three years ago.
Jurado finished with 21 points built on 18 attacks, two aces, and a kill block, while Poyos added 20 markers on 16 attacks, two aces, and two kill blocks for UST, which dominated at the net with 14 team kill blocks.
The Tigresses faced one final test in the fourth set as the Lady Blazers stayed within striking distance. An attack error by Kim Rubin trimmed UST’s lead to 22-20, but the Golden Tigresses responded with a decisive 3-1 closing run to seal the victory in one hour and 55 minutes.
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“Sinabi ko sa kanila na kalimutan na lang muna nila ‘yung nangyari sa first set. Kilala ko naman sila maglaro. Alam naman namin kung ano ang kaya nilang gawin basta dun lang sila mag-focus sa investment namin. May in-adjust lang kami ng kaunti sa team so at least kahit papaano yung sistema naa-adapt na. Good start ito,” said UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos.
“Sobrang happy kasi alam naman namin na ang preparation namin medyo ang layo pa. Marami pa kaming kailangang trabahuhin. Good sign ito na nakakuha kami agad ng championship. Ito ang paghuhugutan namin to work hard pa lalo na pagdating ng UAAP,” he added.
Rookie Kim Rubin contributed 12 points, while Blessing Unekwe anchored UST’s defense with seven kill blocks to finish with 10 markers.
UST swept the five-game elimination round, including a four-set win over CSB, before dispatching Letran in the Final Four of the tournament, supported by Jetour, Baic, Eurotel, Victory Liner Rent & Go, F2 Logistics, Summit Natural Drinking Water, PusoP.com, and Smart Sports.
The Lady Blazers capitalized on UST’s slow start to claim the opening set but could not sustain their momentum.
Camila Bartolome scored 16 points in the losing effort, while Mary Grace Borromeo added 12 markers for CSB.
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Meanwhile, Letran secured the bronze medal after defeating Australian guest team Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-21, 18-25, 25-17, 25-23, in the battle for third place.
Judiel Nitura poured in 19 points, all on attacks, while adding two digs to power the Lady Knights to their second straight third-place finish in the tournament.
Reeza Abayon chipped in 12 points on 11 attacks and an ace, while Carly Nathalie Tizon added seven markers for the Intramuros-based squad, which outscored Southern Storm, 50-42, in attack points.
Setter Hizki Flores orchestrated the offense with 11 excellent sets as Letran overcame 31 unforced errors to come away with the victory.
A costly service error by Isabella Smith followed by Cleo Anastasias’ attack error handed the Lady Knights match point at 24-21. Southern Storm stayed alive after winning a video challenge on Abayon’s serve that was initially ruled in, before Rebekah Pocock followed with a kill.
Nitura then delivered the match-clinching attack to secure Letran’s podium finish.
Anastasias paced Southern Storm with 13 points on 10 attacks and three kill blocks, while Steph Baker scored 13 points, including 12 on attacks, as the Australians ended their campaign with four consecutive losses.
Flores was named Best Setter, while the other individual awardees 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).
All matches in the tournament, backed by technical partners Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, and Team Rebel Sports, are available live and on demand via the PusoP.com livestream and Solar Sports.
