Em Banagua made her return from a knee injury that sidelined her during UAAP Season 88 as the UST Golden Tigresses swept Enderun College, 25-18, 25-17, 25-13, to open the collegiate division of the 2026 Shakey’s League National Invitationals on Sunday, July 19, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The victory also marked the return of Bianca Plaza and opposite hitter Ashlee Knop, who both missed UAAP Season 88.
Rookies Kim Rubin, Erica Gutierrez and Aneeza Santos also saw action for the Golden Tigresses.
“Sa mga bumalik, especially si Em and Bianca, medyo nag-a-adjust pa rin dahil matagal nawala sa court. Pero hopefully ito ‘yong maging magandang start ng pagbabalik nila sa court,” UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos told the Varsitarian.
Banagua finished with three points in her first game back.
The Golden Tigresses seized a 16-11 lead in the opening set after an Enderun rotational fault.
Enderun trimmed the deficit to three, 18-15, before Angge Poyos sparked a 7-3 closing run with a back-row attack to give UST the opening set, 25-18.
UST built a 12-6 advantage in the second set behind consecutive points from Knop before keeping Enderun at bay to take the frame, 25-17.
The Golden Tigresses maintained control in the third set, relying on balanced scoring to complete the sweep with a 25-13 victory.
Poyos and Knop scored eight points each to pace UST, while Marga Altea and Julia Balingit chipped in five apiece.
Althea Botor and Kleine Salvani led Enderun with seven points each.
The Golden Tigresses will face the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers on Monday, July 20, at the same venue. Jay-z V. Perez
