THE UST Golden Tigresses wrapped up the preliminary round of the 2026 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate National Invitationals with a commanding straight-set victory over international guest team Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club, 25-18, 25-10, 25-21, on Thursday, July 23, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rookie Kim Rubin paced the España-based squad with 15 points built on nine attacks, five aces, and one block, while Ashlee Knop added 12 points on 10 attacks and two aces.
The undefeated Golden Tigresses will face the fourth-seeded Colegio de San Juan de Letran Lady Knights in the knockout semifinals on Friday, July 24, at the same venue.
The Golden Tigresses faced an early challenge in the opening set as Ho Chi Minh City’s Diem Phuong powered the young Vietnamese guest squad to a slim 8-7 advantage midway through the set.
A decisive 6-2 run shifted the momentum in UST’s favor before Knop capped her return from an ankle sprain with the set-clinching attack, 25-18.
The Tigresses seized control from the opening serve in the second set, with Rubin firing consecutive service aces to spark an early 3-0 lead.
Knop and Rubin took turns punishing on offense as UST gradually widened the gap before Marga Altea sealed the one-sided frame with a service ace, 25-10.
UST continued another comfortable set after timely attacks from Rubin, Knop and Avril Bron to build a 20-11 advantage.
The Vietnamese-based squad, however, mounted its biggest run of the match, stringing together six of the next seven points to cut the deficit to three, 20-17.
The Tigresses remained composed as Erica Gutierrez halted the run with a powerful attack before Rubin denied Diem Phuong at the net. Bron then connected on Anya Acojedo’s one-handed set to seal the straight-set victory, 25-20.
Even without star players Angge Poyos and Reg Jurado, the Tigresses outscored the Vietnamese squad 47-28, while launching 11 aces. F
