The UST Golden Tigresses will be missing a key presence in the middle, as Em Banagua will sit out UAAP Season 88 because of a knee injury.
UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos confirmed to the Varsitarian that Banagua had yet to be medically cleared to return after undergoing surgery for the injury she had suffered last year.
She last suited up for UST during the 2025 Shakey’s Super League Unity Cup in November, where the Tigresses finished with a silver medal.
Banagua made her Golden Tigresses debut in Season 86 and is a product of the UST high school program.
She turned in her best performance in Season 87 during UST’s Round 2 elimination game against UP, tallying eight blocks en route to a Final Four berth.
Without Banagua, UST’s middle blocker rotation will still include Marga Altea, Bianca Plaza, Blessing Unekwe, Mae Coronado, and rookies Avril Bron and Lianne Penuliar.
The Golden Tigresses will open their Season 88 campaign against defending champion NU on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
