The UST Junior Tigresses in action against Arellano in the 2026 Shakey's Juniors National Invitationals, July 11, 2026 at the FilOil Arena in San Juan. Handout/Shakey's
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas made quick work of Arellano University High School, 25-16, 25-12, for a triumphant start in the 2026 Shakey's Juniors National Invitationals on Saturday at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.
UST playmaker Andreaj Tan Chun Bing orchestrated the win, tallying 11 excellent sets as UST peppered Arellano with 26 kills. She also scored three points, all from the service line.
Despite losing most of its veterans following a breakthrough SGVIL crown last May, the rebuilding Junior Tigresses showed no signs of slowing down with their clinical dismantling of Arellano.
"We had one month of training kasi bago ‘yung mga recruits tapos six lang kami na old players," Tan Chun Bing said of the team's preparation for the weeklong competition
UST came out smoking to seize control early and built double-digit leads in both frames to snuff any form of resistance from the Lady Braves.
"Maganda rito na nakikita and nasusubukan namin yung mga bagong recruit, kung paano sila magre-react," Junior Tigresses assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.
Jyrah Romais led UST with six points on three kills and three aces while Ciarra Calfoforo and Eliz Menchavez added five markers each.
Cassandra Paralejas had five points while Nina Cahanap and Penelope Vargas scored three apiece for Arellano.
Meanwhile, Guam-based Pacific Volleyball Academy outlasted Pusong Azul, 25-23, 17-25, 15-7, to also begin its campaign on a winning note.
The guest team charged back from a 5-6 third-set deficit with a closing 10-1 blitz to prevail in the one-hour, 22-minute encounter.
Lea Aromin starred for PVA with 18 points on 12 attacks and six aces, four of which came from the team's decisive run in the deciding frame. Landen Devera scored 11 for PVA.
Isabella Espinosa had 11 points on six kills, four kill blocks and an ace while Jhenica Sadia had nine markers in a lost cause for Pusong Azul, which allowed PVA to land 10 aces.