Junior Golden Tigresses rule Shakey’s National Invitationals

MANILA, Philippines -- University of Santo Tomas hacked out a gusty 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17 win over St. John’s Institute of Bacolod to reign supreme in the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals over the weekend at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.    

The Junior Golden Tigresses displayed immense composure after squandering a 2-0 set lead and flipping a 7-12 deficit to complete a perfect campaign in the first-ever foreign-spiced Shakey’s high school tourney.

Nicole Pelaez was named the Tournament MVP, hammering 27 points on 24 hits, two blocks and an ace as UST doubled it up after also winning the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup Division 1 earlier this year.

Jyrah Romias (17), Anneli Manzanillo (14) and Eliz Menchavez (13) provided ample support for the España-based spikers in ushering a new era after the collegiate jump of MVP Kim Rubin, also to UST.

“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,” said mentor Yani Fernandez.

And UST did flaunt that winning desire, surviving multiple deuces with Pelaez dropping a kill followed by an attack error of Kristel Mirasol for the Falcons to cap a thrilling match in almost three hours.

The Junior Golden Tigresses were actually headed to a sweep with a 22-20 lead in the third only for the Falcons to unload a 4-1 finishing kick to extend the duel to fourth, where they ran away to set the stage for a decider.

The final set was good as advertised with multiple ties until Pelaez proved her readiness to inherit the mantle of leadership from Rubin for the fancied UST high school program even in the presence of overseas squads Pacific Volleyball Academy from Guam and the Perfect Set Dream Makers from California in the United States.

Caera Celis (27), Edz Escultura (14) and Mirasol (13) led the gallant stand of the Bacolod spikers for a silver medal against the favored Manila and foreign teams.

Meanwhile, Cassandra Paralejas sizzled with 22 points as Arellano scored a 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 victory over One La Salle to clinch the bronze medal.

Antonella Jayobo (16), Aislinn Alemana (15) and Kylie Celada (12) led One La Salle, made up of select players under the La Salle school system in Greenhills, Zobel and Dasmariñas.