UST celebrates after winning the championship in the 2026 Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals, July 26, 2026 at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan. Handout photo
MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas overcame a slow start and eventually overpowered College of St. Benilde in the winner-takes-all championship game of the 2026 Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals, Sunday evening.
The Golden Tigresses dropped the opener but roared back for a 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22, completing a seven-game sweep of the tournament at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.
READ: UST, Benilde face off for Shakey's crown
Veterans Regina Jurado and Most Valuable Player Angge Poyos showed the way for the Espana-based squad, which won its breakthrough crown after a third-place finish in the inaugural edition three years ago.
Jurado unloaded 21 points on 18 kills and two aces while Poyos fired 20 markers anchored on 16 attacks, two aces and two kill blocks for UST. The Tigresses also leaned on their net defense, putting up 14 kill blocks.
Already in control, two sets to one, the Tigresses encountered resistance from the Lady Blazers in the fourth set.
An attack error by Kim Rubin cut UST's advantage to 22-20 before the Tigresses countered with a closing 3-1 barrage to wrap up the one-hour, 55-minute encounter.
"Sinabi ko sa kanila na kalimutan na lang muna nila ‘yung nangyari sa first set. Kilala ko naman sila maglaro. Alam naman namin kung ano ang kaya nilang gawin basta dun lang sila mag-focus sa investment namin. May in-adjust lang kmai ng kaunti sa team so at least kahit papaano yumg sistema naa-adapt na. Good start ito," UST head coach Shaq Delos Santos said.
"Sobrang happy kasi alam naman namin na ang preparation namin medyo ang layo pa. Marami pa kaming kailangang trabahuhin. Good sign ito na nakakuha kami agad ng championship. Ito ang paghuhugutan namin to work hard pa lalo na pagdating ng UAAP," he added.
Action between UST and CSB in the championship game of the 2026 Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals, July 26, 2026 at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan. Handout photo
Rookie Kim Rubin added 12 points and Blessing Unekwe flexed her defensive muscle with seven kill blocks to finish with 10 markers for the Tigresses.
UST won all five of their games in the elimination round -- including a four-set win over St. Benilde -- before knocking out Letran in the Final 4.
CSB pounced on the Tigresses' rusty start to draw first blood but failed to sustain its momentum.
Camila Bartolome had 16 points in a losing cause while Mary Grace Borromeo finished with 12 markers for the Lady Blazers.