Manila: University of Santo Tomas outlasted St. John's Institute-Bacolod, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17, to rule the 2026 Shakey's Juniors National Invitationals Saturday night at the Playtime FilOil Arena.

According to Philippines News Agency, Most Valuable Player Nicole Pelaez scored 27 points on 24 attacks, two blocks, and an ace for the Junior Tigresses, who completed a season sweep after their breakthrough 2026 Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 crown last May. Jyrah Romias added 17 points, while Anneli Manzanillo and Eliz Menchavez contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively.

'The turning point was at 12-8 (in the fifth set). The body language of our players changed. But it was really in the fifth set that whoever wanted to win and fight more, the victory would go to him," UST head coach Yani Fernandez said.

Behind Caera Celis, Edz Escultura, and Kristel Mirasol, SJI-Bacolod managed to win the third and fourth set and force the decider. Celis paced the Falcons with 28 points, 26 on attacks, while Escultura and Mirasol added 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Falcons.

Meanwhile, Arellano University High School relied on Cassandra Paralejas to beat One La Salle, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19, in the battle for bronze. Paralejas scored 21 of her 22 points on attacks while Arah Suizo and Ysabelle Borja added 12 and 10 markers, respectively. Antonella Jayobo led One La Salle with 16 points, followed by Aislinn Alemana with 15 and Kylie Celada with 12.