New team captain Reg Jurado made a winning tournament debut as the UST Golden Tigresses swept Australia-based Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-20, 25-14, 25-9, in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals on Wednesday, July 22, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Jurado scored eight points, while Angge Poyos paced UST with 13 attacks and one ace.
The victory improved the Golden Tigresses to 4-0, while Southern Storm Melbourne absorbed its first loss of the tournament to fall to 3-1.
After the first set was tied at 11-all, UST broke away with a 10-3 run fueled by three service aces from Avril Bron to build a 21-14 lead. Southern Storm Melbourne trimmed the deficit behind late attacks and UST errors, but Jurado finished the set with a kill, 25-20.
Holding a 9-6 advantage in the second set, UST unleashed a 13-5 run to extend its lead to 22-11. Arlene Waje gave the Golden Tigresses set point before Kim Rubin sealed the frame, 25-14.
UST seized control early in the third set behind Poyos to open a 10-5 advantage. The Golden Tigresses capitalized on Southern Storm Melbourne’s errors during a 15-4 finishing run, highlighted by a Bianca Plaza kill, to complete the sweep, 25-9.
The Golden Tigresses will face Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club on Thursday, July 23, at the same venue. A.R Valeriano
