UST, Pacific Volleyball Academy open Shakey's Juniors tilt with victories

University of Santo Tomas and Guam-based Pacific Volleyball Academy (PVA) opened their respective campaigns with convincing victories in the 2026 Shakey's Juniors National Invitationals on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

UST needed only 54 minutes to dispatch Arellano University High School, 25-16, 25-12, behind the superb orchestration of prized setter Andreaj Tan Chun Bing.

The reigning Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 Best Setter tallied 11 excellent sets as the Junior Tigresses unleashed 26 attack points in a dominant performance to begin the inaugural international-flavored tournament on a winning note.

Tan Chun Bing also chipped in three service aces as UST showcased its depth despite losing most of the veterans from last season's championship squad.

"We had one month of training kasi bago 'yung mga recruits tapos six lang kami na old players," said Tan Chun Bing, referring to the team's preparations for the weeklong tournament.

UST wasted little time asserting its dominance, racing to double-digit leads in both sets to deny Arellano any chance of mounting a comeback.

Assistant coach Yani Fernandez welcomed the opportunity to evaluate the team's newcomers in a competitive setting.

"Maganda rito na nakikita at nasusubukan namin yung mga bagong recruit, kung paano sila magre-react," Fernandez said.

Jyrah Romais paced the Junior Tigresses with six points built on three attacks and three aces, while Ciarra Calfoforo and Eliz Menchavez contributed five markers each.

Cassandra Paralejas led Arellano with five points, while Nina Cahanap and Penelope Vargas added three apiece.

In the other match, Pacific Volleyball Academy survived a tough challenge from Pusong Azul, pulling off a 25-23, 17-25, 15-7 victory.

The Guam-based squad erased a slim 5-6 deficit in the deciding set by unleashing a decisive 10-1 finishing run to complete the one-hour, 22-minute contest.

Lea Aromin spearheaded PVA with 18 points on 12 attacks and six service aces, including four during the team's match-clinching rally. Landen Devera added 11 points.

Isabella Espinosa finished with 11 points on six attacks, four blocks and one ace, while Jhenica Sadia scored nine for Pusong Azul, which struggled against PVA's aggressive serving as the visitors finished with 10 aces.

The tournament is backed by Shakey's Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea, with support from Jetour, BAIC, Eurotel, Victory Liner Rent & Go, F2 Logistics, Summit Natural Drinking Water, PusoP.com and Smart Sports.

All matches are available live and on demand through PusoP.com and Solar Sports.