THE UST Golden Tigresses dispatched the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers, 25-22, 25-15, 15-25, 25-12, in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate National Invitationals on Monday, July 20, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A third-set setback did little to derail the Golden Tigresses, who regained their footing and dominated the fourth to stay unbeaten.
The Tigresses recovered from a slow start in the first set, closing on a 9-2 run behind Angge Poyos’ back-to-back kills to claim the frame, 25-22.
UST surged to a 20-11 lead in the second set, with setter Arlene Waje making an immediate impact in her first appearance of the tournament.
The Lady Blazers answered with three straight points to trim the deficit to 21-14, but Blessing Unekwe stopped the run with a block for her fifth point of the set.
Rookie Erica Gutierrez then fired a service ace to clinch set point before Marga Altea capped the frame with a tip, 25-15.
Benilde turned an early four-point deficit into a seven-point cushion in the second set, unleashing a 14-3 run sparked by timely attacks of Mary Grace Borromeo and rookie Joyce Soliven for a 16-9 lead.
UST managed to trim its 10-point deficit to seven, 22-15, after an ace from Avril Bron. However, the gap proved too much to overcome as Kim Rubin’s attack sailed out, allowing Benilde to take the third set, 25-15.
The España-based grabbed the momentum in the fourth set, building a 14-8 cushion. Poyos, then, widened the gap with an ace for a 20-10 lead before hammering home the match point, 25-12.
The UST Golden Tigresses will face the NCAA Season 101 champions Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Tuesday, July 21, at the same venue. F
