MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses capped an unbeaten campaign with a dramatic five-set victory over St. John’s Institute of Bacolod, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17, to capture the championship in the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.
After dominating the opening two sets, UST found itself pushed to the limit as the Falcons stormed back to even the match. The España-based squad, however, refused to surrender, erasing a five-point deficit in the deciding set to secure the title in the tournament’s first edition featuring both local and overseas teams.
Tournament MVP Nicole Pelaez spearheaded the championship drive with an outstanding 27-point performance highlighted by 24 successful attacks, two blocks, and one service ace. The victory completed a double title haul for UST after also reigning in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup Division 1 earlier this season.
Jyrah Romias added 17 markers, Anneli Manzanillo chipped in 14, while Eliz Menchavez contributed 13 as the Junior Golden Tigresses continued their winning tradition despite the departure of former star Kim Rubin to the university’s senior program.
Coach Yani Fernandez credited her players’ determination during the decisive stretch.
“Ang turning point ay nu’ng trailing kami sa fifth set. Nag-iba ang body language ng mga players namin. Pero ‘yun talaga sa fifth set kung sino ang mas gustong manalo at lalaban sa kanya mapupunta ang panalo,” Fernandez said.
UST appeared ready to finish the match in three sets after taking a 22-20 advantage in the third. St. John’s, however, answered with a late surge to steal the set before taking control of the fourth to extend the contest.
The fifth set turned into a tense battle filled with multiple ties and lead changes before Pelaez delivered a timely attack. The Falcons’ hopes ended when Kristel Mirasol committed a costly attack error, allowing UST to celebrate the championship after a marathon contest lasting nearly three hours.
St. John’s settled for runner-up honors but impressed throughout the tournament, with Caera Celis matching Pelaez’s 27-point output. Edz Escultura finished with 14 points, while Mirasol contributed 13.
Earlier, Arellano University secured the bronze medal after defeating One La Salle, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19. Cassandra Paralejas paced the Lady Chiefs with 22 points.
One La Salle, composed of standouts from La Salle Green Hills, De La Salle Zobel, and De La Salle Dasmariñas, was led by Antonella Jayobo with 16 points, followed by Aislinn Alemana with 15 and Kylie Celada with 12.
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