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Tag: Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals

  • UST turns early scare into statement, captures first Shakey’s Collegiate crown 

    UST turns early scare into statement, captures first Shakey’s Collegiate crown 

    The University of Santo Tomas proved that championship teams are not defined by how they start, but by how they respond.

     

    After dropping the opening set against the College of St. Benilde, the Golden Tigresses quickly flipped the script, dominating the next two frames before holding off a late fightback to secure a 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22 victory in the winner-take-all championship match of the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals on Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

     

    The triumph completed a flawless 7-0 tournament run and handed UST its first-ever SCNI title, a significant leap from its third-place finish in the inaugural edition three years ago. More importantly, it offered an early glimpse of a squad beginning to hit its stride months before the UAAP season.

     

    Instead of allowing the sluggish opening set to shake their confidence, the Golden Tigresses responded with suffocating defense and a relentless offensive rhythm that left the Lady Blazers searching for answers.

     

    Veterans Regina Jurado and tournament Most Valuable Player Angge Poyos spearheaded the turnaround.

     

    Jurado finished with 21 points built on 18 attacks and two service aces, while Poyos contributed 20 points from 16 kills, two aces, and two blocks as UST overwhelmed St. Benilde after the first set.

     

    The Tigresses also imposed their will at the net, piling up 14 kill blocks throughout the match. Rookie Kim Rubin chipped in 12 points, while Blessing Unekwe anchored the defensive effort with seven kill blocks to finish with 10 markers.

     

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    UST looked headed for a comfortable finish after taking a two-sets-to-one advantage, but St. Benilde refused to go away quietly.

     

    An attack error by Rubin allowed the Lady Blazers to trim the deficit to 22-20 in the fourth set, raising hopes of extending the match. The Tigresses, however, stayed composed, answering with a decisive 3-1 closing run to seal the championship after one hour and 55 minutes.

     

    Head coach Shaq Delos Santos credited his team’s ability to quickly move on from its shaky start and trust the system they have been building.

     

    “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.”

     

    While pleased with the championship, Delos Santos stressed that the title is only the beginning for a team still far from its peak.

     

    “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.”

     

    The title run reflected UST’s consistency throughout the tournament. The Golden Tigresses swept all five elimination-round matches, including an earlier four-set victory over St. Benilde, before dispatching Letran in the Final Four to book another meeting with the Lady Blazers.

     

    St. Benilde showed promise after capitalizing on UST’s early jitters to grab the first set, but the momentum quickly shifted as the Tigresses settled into their game.

     

    Camila Bartolome led the Lady Blazers with 16 points, while Mary Grace Borromeo added 12 in the runner-up finish.

     

     

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  • Four foreign teams set to test PH volleyball talent in 2026 Shakey’s Super League Invitationals

    Four foreign teams set to test PH volleyball talent in 2026 Shakey’s Super League Invitationals

    The Philippines is set to become a meeting point for rising volleyball talents from different countries as the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals expands its reach beyond local competition, bringing in international teams to challenge the country’s young players.


    ACES president Dr. Ian Laurel revealed during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex that four foreign teams are expected to participate in this year’s preseason tournament, marking a significant step in SSL’s push to create a stronger global exposure for Filipino volleyball.

     

    The international lineup will feature representatives from the United States, Guam, Australia, and Vietnam, allowing local players to measure their development against athletes trained in different volleyball systems.

     

    “This year is very different, it’s very special. It is something that we aligned with the push of the good chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, chair Pato Gregorio, regarding sports tourism. This time, we have foreign teams coming to compete with our local teams,” said Laurel.

     

    The juniors’ division will welcome California-based Perfect Set Dream Makers and Guam’s Pacific Volleyball Academy, two visiting squads that will go up against local programs University of Santo Tomas, Pusong Azul, St. John’s University, Arellano University, and One La Salle.

     

    One La Salle will feature varsity players from De La Salle Zobel, Green Hills, and Dasmarinas, adding another layer of competition among some of the country’s promising young volleyball talents.

     

    The junior tournament is scheduled from July 11 to 18 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

     

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    Meanwhile, the collegiate division will bring a more international flavor to the competition with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club and Australia’s Southern Storm Melbourne joining local teams Enderun Colleges, UST, Letran College, and College of Saint Benilde.

     

    The collegiate matches are set from July 19 to 26 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

    Beyond the competition itself, Laurel sees the foreign participation as an opportunity to create pathways for athletes who dream of playing at a higher level. 

     

    Visiting players are also expected to use the tournament as a platform to showcase their skills in hopes of securing recruitment opportunities and athletic scholarships from Philippine universities.

     

    “Another motivation for these teams is that they know how popular volleyball is here,” Laurel said.

     

    The growing popularity of volleyball in the country has made the Philippines an attractive destination for international players looking for competitive opportunities and exposure.

     

    Aside from the matches, SSL organizers are incorporating tourism activities into the program to give visiting teams and their families a chance to experience the country outside the volleyball court.

     

    “This is where the sports tourism aspect becomes more meaningful,” said Laurel.

     

    Helping highlight the country’s attractions will be ACES executive Allen Reyes, who has been tasked with organizing tours for the visiting players and their families around various tourist destinations in Metro Manila.

     

    Arellano University coach Obet Javier, Ateneo de Manila University coach Watta Macalanggan, and ACES executives Ginio Panganiban and Allen Reyes also made an appearance at the PSA Forum.

     

    With international squads joining the field, the 2026 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals will serve not only as a test of Filipino volleyball talent but also as a stage where competition, recruitment opportunities, and sports tourism come together.

     

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