University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses sweep the Shakey’s Collegiate Invitationals – BusinessWorld Online
WINNING the Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals is just the beginning for University of Santo Tomas (UST).
Even after the UST Golden Tigresses’ perfect campaign to rule the first-ever foreign-spiced Shakey’s tourney, there are still stones to turn and rooms of improvement to fill in order to contend in future tournaments, none bigger than the UAAP.
“Siyempre, sobrang happy dahil ‘yun nga nakuha namin ‘yung championship. Sabi ko nga medyo short ‘yung preparation namin but good thing, nandoon ‘yung response ng playersand coaches sa sistema na ina-adjust namin,” said Santo Tomas mentor Shaq Delos Santos.
“I think ‘yun ang malaking bagay. Goodthing dito, nakita rin namin kung ano pa ‘yung mga kailangan naming i-improve. Sobrang dami pa naming kailangan na ayusin.”
Yielding only two sets for the entire run, Santo Tomas swept the six-team field highlighted by a 22-25, 25-8, 25-12, 25-22 win over NCAA runner-up College of St. Benilde in the one-game finale behind Regina Jurado and MVP Angge Poyos with 21 and 20 points, respectively.
Rookie Kim Rubin, the Shakey’s Juniors MVP, was also solid in her collegiate jump with 12 points while middle blocker Blessing Unekwe had 10 points on seven blocks with setter Arlene Waje (22 sets) making a good impression for injured ace playmaker Cassie Carballo.
Included in the Golden Tigresses’ romp were wins against Australia’s Southern Storm Melbourne and Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club as part of Shakey’s development featuring overseas teams.
It’s the first Shakey’s title for Santo Tomas after a lone podium finish in 2023 but third overall for the school volleyball program this year alone after ruling the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup and the Shakey’s Juniors National Invitationals that also included foreign bets from the United States.
But Santo Tomas is far from satisfied.
“Laking tulong nito, laking impact. And mas magiging inspired kami para trabahuhin pa namin ‘yung mga susunod na tournament, (lalo na sa UAAP),” vowed Mr. Delos Santos. — John Bryan Ulanday