The UST Golden Tigresses clinched the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals title after disposing of the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22, on Sunday, July 26, at the FilOil Centre.
The victory capped a dominant tournament run for UST, which dropped just two sets in seven matches. It also marked the Tigresses’ first SSL National Invitationals crown after an early exit in 2024 and a runner-up finish in the 2025 SSL Pre-Season Unity Cup.
“Sobrang laking bagay sa amin nito [championship]. Maganda ‘yong impact nito para sa team, especially na nag-i-start na kami na ipa-adopt ‘yong system,” UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos told the Varsitarian.
“Palalakasin lang namin ‘yong overall skills, and then siguro mas i-maximize din namin ‘yong height ng team this coming UAAP,” he said. “Aaralin namin kung ano pa ‘yong kulang. Alam namin na marami pa kaming kailangang i-improve.”
Team captain Reg Jurado led the Tigresses with 21 points built on 18 attacks, one block and two service aces, while Angge Poyos, who was named tournament MVP, added 20 points.
UST grabbed an early 11-8 lead in the opening set behind back-to-back kills from Jurado before responding with a 9-1 run to turn a three-point deficit into a 17-12 advantage.
UST trimmed the deficit to 23-21 behind late attacks from Poyos, but a quick attack from Camila Bartolome and a service ace by Shekaina Lleses sealed the set for the Lady Blazers, 25-22.
The Tigresses seized the momentum in the second set as six attacks from Kim Rubin helped build a 13-5 lead. UST never looked back, closing with a 12-3 run to level the match at one set apiece, 25-8.
UST stayed in control in the third set, opening an 18-8 cushion before consecutive blocks from Blessing Unekwe and Rubin sparked a 7-4 closing run to claim the frame, 25-12.
UST carried a slim 22-20 lead in the fourth set after an unsuccessful Benilde challenge. The teams traded points before Rubin delivered an off-the-block kill to bring up championship point. A Benilde attack error by Mary Grace Borromeo then sealed the 25-22 victory and the title for the Tigresses.
Bartolome scored 16 points to lead the Lady Blazers.
UST completed a sweep of the 2026 SSL National Invitationals titles after its junior and senior teams both went undefeated in their respective divisions. Jay-z Perez
