THE UST Golden Tigresses punch their ticket to the 2026 Shakey’s Super League Collegiate National Invitationals finals after drubbing the NCAA Season 101 champions Letran Lady Knights in straight sets, 25-10, 25-19, 25-12, on Friday, July 24, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Newly appointed team captain Reg Jurado led the charge with 12 points built on 11 attacks and a block, while spikers Angge Poyos and Marga Altea tallied 23 markers through 18 attacks and 5 blocks combined.
“It’s an exciting feeling, because all these years, Ate Det (Pepito) was the team captain…But I don’t really remind myself of it because I don’t want to be pressured from the underline,” Jurado told The Flame.
“Just apply Coach Shaq’s system, because so far, it’s effective and it’s working for us,” she added.
The Espana volleybelles started off hot as a service ace from Avril Bron, followed by back-to-back kills from Altea capped-off the landslide opener, 25-10.
Despite Leonilyn Padilla’s attacking efforts to trim Letran’s deficit to 7-5 in the second salvo, collective offense from the Tigresses’ enabled a 16-14 blitz to keep UST in front, 23-19.
A crosscourt kill from Jurado, followed by an attack error from Letran’s Verenicce Colendra capped of the second-set in favor of the Tigresses, 25-19
The Intramuros squad opened the third set with their first lead of the game behind Reeza Abayon’s kill and service ace, 2-1.
UST stayed composed however, as a block from Altea capitalized a 24-10 run, while a Letran attack error ultimately sealed the victory for the Tigresses.
Abayon and Colendra combined for 12 markers to pace Letran in the loss, while Carlyn Tizon added four points.
UST will face the winner of the semifinal knockout match between the College of Saint Benilde Lady Blazers and the Southern Storm Melbourne in the championship round on Sunday, July 26, at the Playtime Filoil Centre. F
