Manila: Unbeaten University of Santo Tomas downed guest team Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-20, 25-14, 25-9, in the 2026 Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday. Led by veterans Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado, the Golden Tigresses rolled to their fourth straight win and earned the No. 1 seed in the semifinal round.
According to Philippines News Agency, Poyos delivered 14 points on 13 attacks and an ace while Jurado, playing her first game in the tournament after sitting out the first two, added eight points. "I'm grateful we secured this win in straight sets. The opponents are tall, and during the first set, I was still trying to find my rhythm," said Poyos, who only had three points in the first set. "I've worked on utilizing that - something we practice in training - which is to have the ball checked off the blockers, especially the tall ones."
Marga Altea also scored eight points, while Arlene Waje dished out eight excellent sets for UST, which will face Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club on Thursday. Cleo Anastasias finished with nine points while Isabella Smith and Steph Baker added six and five points, respectively, for the Australians, who took their first loss in four outings.
Southern Storm of Melbourne, which prevailed over Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club, 25-15, 26-24, 20-25, 24-26, 15-12, on Tuesday, takes on College of Saint Benilde on Thursday, eyeing the No. 2 seed in the semifinals.
