Volleyball: UST, UP triumphant to start round-of-8 in Unity Cup

MANILA — University of Santo Tomas held firm down the stretch to claim a 25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in the round-of-8 Pool F opener in the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup on Sunday.

The Golden Tigresses held off the Blue Eagles in the tight fourth frame after squandering a six-point lead to remain unbeaten at the Imus Sports Complex.

UST controlled the first two sets, only to lose steam in the third before showing resolve late in the fourth to seal the two-hour, nine-minute win and inch closer to clinching a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage.

Marga Altea scored 15 points on 11 kills and four kill blocks, while Ashlee Knop finished with 12 points. Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado added 11 markers each for UST, which extended its winning streak to four after sweeping the first round.

After surrendering the third set, the Tigresses raced to an 18-12 lead in the fourth. However, Ateneo refused to go down without a fight and countered with an 8-2 run to tie it at 20.

But the Blue Eagles shot themselves in the foot after Dona De Leon and Alexia Montoro committed back-to-back errors, giving UST a two-point cushion. Jihan Chuatico saved a point for Ateneo but UST scored three straight points, capped by a Poyos ace to close the match.    

De Leon and Bea Buena finished with 12 points each while Chuatico had nine markers for the Blue Eagles.

Meanwhile, University of the Philippines recovered from an opening set hiccup to beat Letran, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16, in Pool F.

The Fighting Maroons carried the momentum of their three-game first-round sweep to draw closer to clinching a quarters incentive in the competition.

Jelai Gajero pumped in 17 points on 15 kills and two kill blocks to lead UP. 

Jenn Gould had 14 markers on 12 attacks and two kill blocks while Kianne Olango scored 12 of her 13 points on spikes for the Fighting Maroons, who got 32 free points off the Lady Knights’ errors. 

Setter Kizzie Madriaga tallied 15 excellent sets while backup playmaker Julia De Leon dished out 14.

UP regrouped after surrendering the first set as it showed composure and grit in the tight closing stretches of the second and third frames. The Fighting Maroons used a 6-0 spurt to break a 12-12 tie and gain control of the fourth frame.

UP opened an eight-point lead, 22-14, before finishing off the Lady Knights with a 3-2 run capped by an Olango offspeed hit.

“Need lang talaga namin and makabawi doon sa first set kasi nga medyo off ang laro namin nung first set. Sinabi rin ni coach na gamitin ang utak kaya yun tinrabaho lang talaga naming lahat,” Gould said.

“We worked as a team kaya nanalo kami,” she added.

Judiel Nitura was the lone Letran player in double-digit scoring after logging 12 points on 11 kills and an ace.

Gia Maquilang and Kaizah Huyno added nine markers each for the reigning NCAA champion.

Action continues on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.