The UST Golden Tigresses completed an unbeaten preliminary round run after outclassing Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club, 25-18, 25-10, 25-21, in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals on Thursday, July 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Golden Tigresses finished the tournament’s preliminary round as the lone unbeaten team and will face defending NCAA women’s volleyball champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the semifinals.
UST swept Letran in their preliminary-round meeting on Tuesday.
“Sobrang happy dahil nag-perform nang maayos, kahit na alam naming maraming kulang, pero good thing na nakuha namin ‘yong panalo,” UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos told the Varsitarian.
Holding a slim 10-9 lead in the opening set, the Golden Tigresses pulled away with a 13-6 run to build a 24-16 advantage. Ho Chi Minh City saved two set points before an Ashlee Knop kill secured the opener for UST, 25-18.
Kim Rubin scored eight early points to help the Golden Tigresses build a 17-7 cushion. Marga Altea capped an 8-3 UST run to close out the second set, 25-10.
UST raced to a 16-10 lead in the third set. Ho Chi Minh City answered with an 11-8 run before Avril Bron delivered the match-winning attack to seal the sweep, 25-21.
Rubin led the Golden Tigresses with 13 points on eight attacks, four aces and one block, while Knop also scored 13 points.
Le Thi Diem Phuong finished with a match-high 15 points for Ho Chi Minh City.
Incoming Tigresses rookie and UAAP Season 88 girls’ volleyball MVP Bambam Berayo has yet to make her UST debut as she continues her recovery and conditioning.
UST and Letran will meet in the semifinals on Friday, July 24, at the same venue. Charles Martin A. Manalang
