UST rallies from brink of defeat to claim Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals championship

UAAP University of Santo Tomas completed a perfect title run in thrilling fashion, overcoming a late challenge from St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, 25-19, 25-23, 23-25, 18-25, 19-17, to capture the 2026 Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals crown on Saturday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

The Junior Tigresses nearly saw their two-set advantage disappear, but they regained their composure in the decisive fifth set to finish the tournament unbeaten with an 8-0 record.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Nicole Pelaez powered UST’s championship-clinching effort with 27 points on 24 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. She received strong support from Jyrah Romias, who scored 17 points, while Anneli Manzanillo and Eliz Menchavez added 14 and 13 markers, respectively.

The victory gave UST a memorable championship double after the España-based squad also won the 2026 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup Division 1 title last May.

The Junior Tigresses found themselves in trouble in the fifth set after falling behind 12-7, but responded with a five-point surge to level the score. St. John’s Institute-Bacolod later reached match point after a Pelaez service error, but Sophie Pamplona’s long serve kept UST alive.

Romias then gave the Junior Tigresses another advantage with a sharp down-the-line attack, only for Caera Celis to answer and tie the set at 15-all. The Falcons fought off two more championship points before Pelaez delivered a crucial hit, followed by a Mirasol attack error that ended a marathon nearly three-hour contest.

"Ang turning point ay nu’ng 12-8 (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 UST head coach Yani Fernandez.

St. John’s Institute-Bacolod forced a deciding set after rallying from a 20-22 deficit in the third frame. Celis sparked the Falcons’ comeback by scoring the final three points of a 4-0 run before a UST net violation handed them the set.

The Bacolod-based squad carried that momentum into the fourth set, where Celis and Edz Escultura led a strong push that sent the championship match into a winner-take-all fifth set.

Celis finished with a match-best 28 points on 26 attacks, while Escultura added 14 points. Kristel Mirasol contributed 13 in the losing effort.

UST also faced pressure earlier in the match after nearly surrendering a 24-19 lead in the second set. The Falcons scored four straight points behind two UST errors, but Ciarra Calfoforo delivered a crucial block on Marteena Ferrer to secure the set and give the Junior Tigresses a 2-0 advantage.

In the battle for third place, Arellano University High School claimed the bronze medal after defeating One La Salle, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19.

Cassandra Paralejas led the Lady Braves with 22 points, including 21 kills. Arah Suizo added 12 points, while Ysabelle Borja chipped in 10 as Arellano bounced back from its earlier elimination-round defeat to One La Salle.

Antonella Jayobo paced One La Salle with 16 points, followed by Aislinn Alemana with 15 and Kylie Celada with 12. However, the team was hurt by 36 unforced errors in the match.