Tigresses advance to semis

MANILA, Philippines — Undefeated University of Santo Tomas secured the No. 1 seeding in the semifinals after a quick work of Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-20, 25-14, 25-9, in the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Golden Tigresses neutralized the Australians’ height advantage by beating them to the draw with fast and angled attacks to break their defensive wall on their way to a fourth win in a row.

Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado did most of the damage as UST inched closer to completing an elimination round sweep of the competition backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner, and R and B Milk Tea.

Poyos punched in 14 points on 13 kills and an ace while Jurado, playing her first game in the tournament after sitting out the first two, contributed eight points.

In the second game, Enderun Colleges breathed life into its flickering Final Four bid after a straight-set victory over Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club, 25-16, 29-27, 25-16, for a 1-3 win-loss record.