After sitting out the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, middle blockers Em Banagua and Bianca Plaza returned to the UST Golden Tigresses and helped power the team’s unbeaten title run in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals.
The two, who have been with the Golden Tigresses since UAAP Season 86, combined for 43 points in seven matches.
UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos said both players are still working their way back after an extended absence from competition but believes the Shakey’s League campaign was a positive first step in their return.
“Si Em and Bianca, medyo naga-adjust pa rin dahil matagal nawala sa court. Pero hopefully ito ‘yong maging magandang start ng pagbabalik nila sa court,” Delos Santos told the Varsitarian.
Banagua missed Season 88 after suffering a knee injury before the tournament, while Plaza was left out of UST’s final roster, with the team going with then-rookie middle blockers Avril Bron and Lianne Penuliar.
Banagua opened with six points against Southern Storm Melbourne on four attacks, one block and one service ace before adding another six markers in UST’s semifinal win over the Collegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights.
Inserted in place of Bron after the first set, Banagua also chipped in five points, including two blocks, in the Golden Tigresses’ championship victory over the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers.
Plaza, meanwhile, led UST with eight points built on four attacks and four blocks against Letran during the preliminary round. She also added three points against Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh Volleyball Club.
With the 6-foot Banagua and the 6-foot-2 Plaza back in the lineup, the Golden Tigresses have added size and depth at middle blocker heading into UAAP Season 89. Delos Santos previously said maximizing the team’s height will be one of UST’s priorities.
“Palalakasin lang namin ‘yong overall skills, and then siguro mas i-maximize din namin ‘yong height ng team this coming UAAP.”
The Golden Tigresses will return to action in the 2026 V-League on Aug. 16 at Gameville Central Park, a day after the Golden Spikers open their campaign at the same venue. Jayz V. Perez
