Top collegiate teams, international clubs clash as Shakey’s Collegiate Invitationals begin

The country's top collegiate volleyball programs take on an international challenge as the 2026 Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals opens on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Defending NCAA champion Letran, fellow NCAA contender College of Saint Benilde, UAAP powerhouse University of Santo Tomas, and Enderun Colleges headline the local cast, with Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club of Vietnam and Southern Storm Melbourne of Australia completing the six-team field.

Tournament action begins with Letran facing Southern Storm Melbourne at 1 p.m., followed by an all-Filipino showdown between UST and Enderun at 3 p.m. College of Saint Benilde then closes opening day against Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club at 5 p.m.

Fresh off its NCAA Season 101 championship, Letran will rely on its title-winning core of Judiel Nitura, Verenicce Colendra, and Joralyn Panangin. The Lady Knights, however, will be without veterans Gia Maquillang and Vanessa Sarie, who remain sidelined as they recover from knee and shoulder injuries, respectively.

"Ang biggest goal namin is to become a better team every game. We want to maximize this opportunity against strong local and international teams, kasi may mga makakalaban tayong teams from Australia and Vietnam," said Letran assistant coach Mayeth Carolino.

"Malalakas din ang mga local teams kasi nandyan ang Benilde and UST and may Enderun pa so kailangan naming magpursige dito sa National Invitationals. Malaking opportunity na makasali rito."

College of Saint Benilde, meanwhile, enters the tournament with a revamped roster after losing several key players from last season. Head coach Jerry Yee said the competition will be an important measuring stick for his retooled squad led by Kai Lleses and reigning NCAA Rookie of the Year Cam Bartolome.

"Marami kaming nawala from last year. Marami tayong susubukan ngayon. Marami tayong titingnan. So hopefully, makapag-compete tayo. Hopefully, maganda ang performance namin," Yee said.

UST will parade a veteran lineup bannered by Angge Poyos, Regina Jurado, Avril Bron, and Marga Altea. Highly touted rookie Kim Rubin also looks to build on the momentum from her MVP-winning campaign that helped UST High School capture the 2026 Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup Division 1 crown.

For Enderun, the tournament presents an opportunity to measure itself against some of the country's top collegiate programs.

"Isang malaking karalangan ang makasali rito. Malaaking tulong ito para magkaroon kami ng exposure against sa mga UAAP and NCAA teams and also may international flavor din. And of course, gusto naming ipakita na may volleyball program ang Enderun," said Lady Titans head coach Dong Dela Cruz.

The visiting teams are also eager to test themselves against Philippine opposition.

"Our team will try our best and see how far we'll be able to go in the tournament. We just want to demonstrate our best," said Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club head coach Huinn Do Hong Loan.

Southern Storm Melbourne coach Carlo Pacioni said his team is looking forward to experiencing the Filipino brand of volleyball.

"We want to experience a different flavor of volleyball here in the Philippines. We expect the style to be different in what we play and I think we are very eager for the challenge to keep up with it," he said.

The tournament will be played in a single-round robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the knockout semifinals. The championship and third-place matches will both be decided in winner-take-all contests.