Regina Jurado showed the way as University of Santo Tomas got off to a strong start with a 25-21, 25-12, 25-18 victory over College of Saint Benilde in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League Unity Cup on Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Jurado scored 12 of her game-high 13 points on attacks as the Golden Tigresses asserted their mastery over the Lady Blazers in a rematch of their SSL National Invitationals championship showdown.
“Very thankful and nakaka-gain talaga ng confidence namin na first win namin ito and sunod-sunod ang mga games and liga. Happy na nakuha namin ang first game na ito,” said Jurado, who saw action in only two sets.
UST joined Mapua University at the top of Pool B in the league’s centerpiece competition, which is backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R&B Milk Tea.
Marga Altea and Erica Gutierrez added seven points each, while Avril Bron finished with five markers for the Tigresses, whose one-hour, 20-minute victory was aided by CSB’s 25 errors.
UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos also tested his setter rotation, with Aneeza Santos and Arlene Waje tallying eight excellent sets each, while veteran playmaker Cassie Carballo added six.
The Tigresses encountered resistance late in the opening set after the Lady Blazers trimmed a five-point deficit to two, 23-21.
UST responded with two straight points, capped by a kill from Jurado, to take the opening frame.
The Tigresses’ second-stringers then held the fort in the second set, dominating their Lady Blazers counterparts to take a commanding 2-0 lead.
UST cruised the rest of the way to begin its bid to settle unfinished business after finishing runner-up in the previous edition of the tournament, which is also supported by Smart, PusoP.com, and Summit Natural Drinking Water, with the Philippine Sports Commission, Commission on Higher Education, Mikasa, Asics, Rigour Technology, Jersey Haven, Solar Sports, and 12 Beyond Production serving as technical partners.
Camila Bartolome was the lone bright spot for CSB, unloading 11 points on nine kills and two aces. Mary Grace Borromeo added six points for the Lady Blazers.
(C) SSL
In the second game, Far Eastern University overpowered Ateneo de Manila University, 25-20, 25-13, 25-12, in Pool C.
Playmaker Karyll Miranda showed maturity in filling the big shoes left by former main setter Tin Ubaldo, leading the Lady Tamaraws’ fluid offense with 13 excellent sets.
FEU was a bit rusty in the opening frame before gradually finding its rhythm and pulling away for a dominant victory over the Blue Eagles.
“Siguro nandoon pa rin yung jitters na sinasabi kapag first game. Yun ang na-redeem namin, naibalik namin ang sarili namin while nandoon kami sa loob ng game. Lagi ko lang sinasabihan ang mga teammates ko na maging composed lang and stay confident,” said Miranda, who also scored four points.
Mitzi Panangin led FEU’s balanced scoring with eight points on four hits, three kill blocks, and an ace. Gerzel Petallo and Ia David added seven markers each, while Kyle Pendon and Jaz Ellarina chipped in six points apiece for the Lady Tamaraws, who dominated at the net with 14 kill blocks.
Ateneo gave away 17 free points through its errors and struggled in service receive, allowing FEU to convert seven aces.
Jihan Chuatico had seven points, while Sophia Buena added six for the Blue Eagles. Rookie Brianna Ang scored two points in just one set of action.
Action continues on Sunday with Emilio Aguinaldo College taking on San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 1 p.m.
Arellano University, which defeated University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-23, on Friday, battles Letran at 3 p.m., followed by the 5 p.m. clash between debuting University of the East and Lyceum of the Philippines University.
All games are available live and on demand via PusoP.com and Solar Sports.
