University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University-Diliman swept their way to back-to-back victories in Pool D of the 2025 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup Division 1 on Thursday at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
The Junior Tigresses leaned on the sharp attacking of Kimberly Rubin to dispatch University of the Philippines Integrated School, 25-20, 25-13, and remain unbeaten in the country’s premier grassroots volleyball league supported by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.
Rubin fired eight of her game-high 13 points in the second set, finishing with nine kills and four aces for UST.
The Tigresses opened their campaign with a thrilling 25-20, 27-29, 25-19 win over St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons on Wednesday.
Aneeza Santos and Ryzel Laag added five points apiece for UST, which handed the Fighting Maroons their second straight defeat.
Meanwhile, the Lady Baby Tamaraws also improved to 2-0 after fending off the Falcons, 25-21, 25-20, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown against UST on Friday.
Ifunanya Udeagbala led FEU with 13 points, built on 12 kills, while teammates Cathlyn Umal and Shiela Pascual combined for 12 markers to support the charge.
St. John’s Institute and UPIS both dropped to 0-2 records in Pool D.
(C) Roman Prospero/SSL
In Pool A, defending champion Adamson University bounced back from a stunning opening-day loss with a dominant 25-4, 25-12 victory over University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
The Lady Baby Falcons, led by Ellaine Gonzalvo, displayed improved chemistry and cohesion to finally enter the win column, following a tough three-set loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College the day before. The tournament is also backed by Mikasa, Asics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, and Smart.
Over in Pool B, Bethel Academy survived a gritty challenge from debuting Holy Rosary College, eking out a 26-24, 18-25, 25-21 win to improve to a 1-1 record.
Eunice Suamer and Joanne Reducto scored 11 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the Bethelites, who were coming off a straight-set defeat to Chiang Kai Shek College in their opener.
Meanwhile, King’s Montessori School bounced back from a heartbreaking first loss with a commanding 25-16, 25-12 sweep of Corpus Christi School in Pool C.
