MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas boosted its Final Four bid with a third straight win after sweeping Letran, 25-22, 25-17, 25-13, to stay on top of the standings in the 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The trio of Avril Bron, Erica Guttierez and Bianca Plaza led the unbeaten Golden Tigresses’ assault as they inched closer to securing a spot in the knockout semifinal with just two games left in the single-round robin elimination round.
Bron and Guttierez scored six of their points on kills while Plaza flexed her might at the net after accounting for four of UST’s 13 kill blocks in the match that only lasted 80 minutes.
The Tigresses punished the Lady Knights with 36 kills and landed nine aces but also committed 23 errors.
UST will take on Australian guest team Southern Storm Melbourne on Wednesday.
Letran slipped to a 1-2 slate, which put the reigning NCAA champion in a must-win situation in its last two outings to advance to the next round.
Verenicce Colandre had nine points on seven kills and two aces while Joralyn Panangin scored six for the Lady Knights, who will face College of Saint Benilde in a rematch of the NCAA Season 101 finals on Wednesday. TMT