UST dominates Shakey's National Invitationals Championship

The University of Santo Tomas bucked a sluggish start before unleashing the full might of its firepower to beat College of Saint Benilde, 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22, in the winner-take-all championship of the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals on Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

The Golden Tigresses ignited a strong comeback from an opening set slip with a dominating second set on their way to completing a seven-game sweep of the tournament, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.  

Veterans Regina Jurado and Most Valuable Player Angge Poyos showed the way for the Espana-based squad, which won its breakthrough crown after a third-place finish in the inaugural edition three years ago.

Jurado unloaded 21 points on 18 kills and two aces while Poyos fired 20 markers anchored on 16 attack, two aces and two kill blocks for UST, which tightened its defensive screw at the net to tally 14 kill blocks.

The Tigresses encountered resistance in the fourth set after the Lady Blazers kept it close. An attack error by Rubin cut UST’s advantage to 22-20 before the Tigresses countered with a closing 3-1 barrage to wrap the one-hour, 55-minute encounter.

“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 kmai ng kaunti sa team so at least kahit papaano yumg sistema naa-adapt na. Good start ito,” UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos said.

Rookie Kim Rubin added 12 points and Blessing Unekwe flexed her defensive muscle with seven kill blocks to finish with 10 markers for the Tigresses.

UST swept the five-game elimination round, including a four-set victory over the Lady Blazers, before knocking out Letran in the Final Four of the competition supported by Jetour, Baic, Eurotel, Victory Liner Rent & Go, F2 Logistics, Summit Natural Drinking Water, PusoP.com and Smart Sports.

Camila Bartolome had 16 points in a lost cause while Mary Grace Borromeo finished with 12 markers for the Lady Blazers.   

All games in the competition, 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 PusoP.com livestream and Solar Sports.