Games Saturday:
(Mall of Asia Arena):
9 a.m. – DLSU vs UE (Men)
11 a.m. – AdU vs FEU (Men)
1 p.m. – DLSU vs UE (Women)
3 p.m. – AdU vs FEU (Women)
MANILA — University of Santo Tomas rebounded from a narrow third-set loss to win 25-11, 25-23, 23-25, 25-12 against University of the Philippines in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The victory secured UST’s hold on the No. 2 spot.
Reg Jurado led the Golden Tigresses with 22 points, including 21 kills, while Angge Poyos added 21 kills, six digs, and four receptions. Rookie Marga Altea, a product of UST’s high school program, contributed nine points, including three service aces and two blocks.
UST’s assistant coach, Yani Fernandez, acknowledged the team’s recovery after a shaky third set, emphasizing the importance of resetting and regrouping for the dominant fourth set performance.
Meanwhile, Far Eastern University
extended its winning streak, defeating University of the East, 25-23, 25-19, 25-20.
Rookie Kianne Olango played a key role with two blocks, two service aces, and 18 points, while Joan Monares added 13 points and seven receptions.
FEU head coach Tina Salak expressed optimism, aiming for a Final Four finish, despite challenging upcoming matches against Adamson and La Salle.
In the men’s division, FEU continued its strong performance with a 25-16, 25-23, 25-19 victory over UE. The Tamaraws remain unbeaten at 5-0, marking their best start in six years.
FEU’s assistant coach Rene Dulay credited the team’s perseverance and collaboration, especially with key players stepping up in the absence of MVP Josh Ybañez.
UST’s men’s team also stayed strong, sweeping UP, 25-18, 25-19, 25-11, with Popoy Colinares and JJ Macam leading the charge. Despite missing the injured Ybañez, FEU’s men’s team remains a dominant force, continuing to build on its perfect record.
Both UP and UE’s teams are facing challenges. UP’s women’s team has now lost three consecutive matches, while UE’s women have yet to win this season, dropping their fifth straight game. Meanwhile, the UP men’s team is still struggling with a 1-4 record, while UE’s men remain winless at 0-5.
Looking ahead as the season progresses, teams like UST and FEU are positioning themselves for a strong run toward the Final Four.
With tough upcoming matchups, all eyes are on how the contenders will adapt and rise to the challenge.
ia/mnm
MANILA – The University of Santo Tomas Junior Tigresses delivered a historic 170-46 rout against Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 87 girls’ basketball tournament at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Sunday (16 Feb 2025).
The 124-point winning margin shattered the previous record of 99 points set by De La Salle-Zobel in their 115-16 win over Ateneo on February 9. UST’s total score also surpassed the tournament’s prior highest output of 121 points, set by Adamson University in 2020.
Leading UST’s dominant performance was Grachelle Boteros, who posted 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Barby Dajao contributed 21 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals, while Rhiane Perez added 20 points.
Despite the overwhelming victory, UST head coach Sen Dysangco emphasized that their focus remains on player development.
“We don’t focus on wins. Our goal is daily improvement—not just in basketball skills, but in character as well,” Dysangco said.
Ateneo’s Tyler Templo and Virlene Gozum scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, as their team absorbed its fourth straight loss.
Dysangco commended Ateneo’s resilience and stressed the importance of continuing the tournament, especially after the pandemic.
“It takes courage to compete, especially for teams still building their programs. These are growing pains, but we should never give up on our young athletes,” he added.
With this win, UST remains undefeated at 4-0, cementing its dominance in the tournament.
ia/mnm
MANILA – National University Nazareth School (NUNS) clinched its first-ever UAAP girls beach volleyball title on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Sands SM By The Bay.
NUNS’ Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao triumphed in a thrilling final, defeating University of Santo Tomas (UST) duo Cheng Dadang and Angelica del Mar, 18-21, 21-10, 15-8.
“This win means a lot to us after the challenges we faced over the past year,” said Toos, the season’s MVP. “We sacrificed a lot, like not going home for the holidays, just to train. That dedication paid off.”
Earlier, in the semifinals, Toos and Mangyao dominated Adamson’s Ella Gonzalvo and Maegan Pineda, 21-9, 21-15, while Dadang and Del Mar edged out Far Eastern University’s Sheena Cafe and Sheila Pascual, 21-17, 16-21, 15-6.
Adamson secured the bronze with a 21-17, 21-12 win over FEU-D’s Cafe and Aleah Devosora.
In the men’s division, UST’s JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao outlasted NUNS’ Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan in a dramatic three-set final, 21-14, 13-21, 16-14. Despite trailing 8-12 in the final set, UST rallied to deny NUNS a second consecutive title.
In the semifinals, Lagaran and Malinao cruised past FEU-D’s Calimlim and Sam Coronel, 21-7, 21-12, while Dionela and Tan defeated Adamson’s Malinao and Ygot, 21-12, 21-16. FEU-D took home the bronze after a hard-fought 22-20, 19-21, 15-13 win over Adamson’s Brice Malinao and Gian Ygot.
Gonzalvo was named Rookie of the Year, while De La Salle-Zobel’s Luis Papa claimed the top rookie award in the boys’ division.
ia/mnm
Games Friday
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
10 a.m. – UST vs KMS (girls)
12:30 p.m. – NU vs La Salle-Lipa (girls)
3 p.m. – Angataleta-Orion,Bataan vs VNS-Savouge (boys)
5:30 p.m. – Umingan, Pangasinan vs Canossa Academy (boys)
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas, National University, Angatleta-Orion (Bataan) and Umingan (Pangasinan) loom as the heavy favorites with their unblemished records that they will stake against separate opponents in the knockout semifinals of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 boys and girls championships on Friday (April 26) at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
All eyes though are on the Junior Golden Tigresses and Lady Bullpups in girls’ play while Orion and Umingan banner boys’ action in their bid to arrange championship duels on Sunday.
UST takes on Kings’ Montessori School at 10 a.m., NU’s battles La Salle-Lipa at 12:30 p.m., Orion collides with VNS-Savouge at 3 p.m. and Umingan tackles Canossa Academy of Lipa City at 5:30 p.m. in the semifinals of the annual tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Students from the schools seeing action in the semifinals Friday, classification matches on Saturday and finals on Sunday could watch the games for free—all they need is to show their school ID cards.
The Junior Golden Tigresses and Lady Bulldogs clawed and bullied their way unopposed in the girls’ competition and booked convincing quarterfinal victories to advance deeper in the tournament—UST eliminated Canossa Academy, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12 and NU trounced fellow University Athletic Association of the Philippines bet La Salle-Zobel, 25-18, 25-16, 25-17.
Orion and Umingan were as dominant in boys’ play over Taytay (Rizal) and Philippine Christian University on 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 and 25-22, 25-12, 25-18 victories, respectively.
In the girls’ quarterfinals, Kings’ Montessori School posted an equally big 25-15, 25-18, 25-12 win over San Juan Institute of Technology-Batangas to earn a shot at UST as La Salle-Lipa smothered Gracel Christian College, 25-14, 25-13, 25-21 to win a right of challenging powerhouse NU.
Set on Saturday (April 27) are the classification matches for fifth to eighth places for both genders starting at 10 a.m. with the last match set at 5:30 p.m., while scheduled for Sunday are the battle for bronze at 10 a.m. for boys and 12:30 p.m. for girls and the gold medal duels at 3 p.m. for the girls and 5:30 p.m. for the boys.
Games Sunday
(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)
11 a.m. – Ateneo vs UE/AU
2 p.m. – NU vs AdU
5 p.m. – FEU vs UST
MANILA — Vengeful University of Santo Tomas fended off College of St. Benilde, 25-15, 25-16, 19-25, 32-30, in the thrilling knockout duel to catch the last bus in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 Final Four Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.
The Golden Tigresses wasted a huge lead in the fourth set before recovering in time behind the heroics of Regina Jurado, Jonna Perdido, and Bianca Plaza for a sweet payback in the extended quarterfinals against the gritty Lady Blazers after a tough five-setter defeat in Game 1.
UST, with a win-once bonus as the No. 2 seed, thus marched on to arrange a semifinal battle against Far Eastern U for a seat in the championship of the SSL Season 2 backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports and United Auctioneers, Inc.
Reigning champion National U, the only unbeaten team in the tourney, and Adamson is in the other pairing of the knockout Final Four today (Sunday) with the survivors advancing to the best-of-three finale starting on Friday.
Regina Jurado unloaded 16 points on 15 hits, an ace, and a block, including a bevy of clutch hits in the fourth set to show the way for UST to replicate a Final Four feat in the inaugural season.
Perdido and Angeline Poyos added 16 and 15 points, respectively, while Plaza made her presence felt down the wire with four points highlighted by the last two points for UST to win the extended duel, 32-30.
“We’re a young team against a veteran St. Benilde squad na two-time NCAA champion. Nakita nyo kung gaano sila ka-solid, ayaw talaga bumitaw. Nanalo kami sa disgrasya. Nadisgrasya namin sila sa huling palo kasi lahat ng set-up at attacks at combination play namin, nakapag-adjust sila,” said UST mentor Kungfu Reyes.
“Credits to St. Benilde. ‘Yun nga, we’re a young team and nahatak kami ng nahatak going into the semis. Malaking bagay sa amin ito lalo twice-to-beat kami, tapos twice beaten. ‘Yun sana ang branding namin.”
On the heels of a 22-25, 25-23, 25-18, 23-25, 11-15 loss in Game 1, UST imposed its will early by taking a commanding 2-0 lead only to cool down in the third set with a 25-19 defeat as two-time reigning NCAA champion St. Benilde proved its pedigree once again.
The Golden Tigresses moved on the verge of a quick 3-1 victory with a 24-21 lead in the fourth only to witness another Lady Blazers’ fightback to force a deuce and even snatch the driver’s seat at 27-26 off a Gayle Pascual hit.
Jurado and Perdido took turns neutralizing Rhea Mae Densing’s late hammers for a 30-all score before Plaza, who just subbed in the match for blocking purposes, uncorked two straight surprise attacks to lift UST to the hard-earned win.
Pascual and Densing fired 16 and 15 points, respectively, for St Benilde under the watch of coach Jerry Yee.
Meanwhile, Ateneo takes on St. Benilde in the other bracket of the classification matches with the University of the East and Arellano playing as of press time for the 5th-8th spots in the SSL Season 2 in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.
All SSL Season 2 games are accessible across all platforms live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL with Solar Sports, Blast TV, and Aliw Channel 23 as TV partners.
(AI/MNM)
Photo Screenshot from: Philippine Coast Guard‘s Facebook Video
By Junex Doronio
STRESSING THAT HABITAT DAMAGE harms ecosystems, US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson on Tuesday expressed concern on the reported destruction of the seabed at Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) describing it as “troubling.”
“We are working with our #FriendsPartnersAllies to protect [Philippine] natural resources,” Carlson said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
It was gathered that the US this month turned over a P250-million training facility in Bulacan to the Coast Guard, where personnel would be taught navigation, law enforcement and ship maintenance.
On Monday, September 18, a furious Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri asked China to respect and protect coral reefs which takes hundreds of years to breed following reports that some Chinese vessels were engaged in massive illegal harvesting of corals in Rozul Reef located within the Philippines’ EEZ.
For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also said it is seriously concerned about reports of destruction of corals in Rozul Reef.
Without mentioning China, the DFA called on “everyone concerned” to act responsibly and cease all activities that can damage the marine environment. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: UST Golden Tigresses and Spikers
THE University of Santo Tomas made a powerful statement in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship by sweeping Letran with scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-14 on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
This victory not only kept UST unbeaten but also spoiled the debut of Letran’s new coach Oliver Almadro.
The Golden Tigresses exhibited their prowess by securing two closely contested sets before delivering a dominant performance in the third set to claim their second consecutive win in Pool A of the 16-team SSL.
Rising star Angeline Poyos once again shone with 13 points, featuring 11 successful attacks, an ace, and a block, as UST efficiently handled Letran. The match concluded in just 81 minutes, following UST’s earlier four-set victory over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Contributing to the team’s success, Xyza Gula added nine points, while setter Cassie Carballo displayed her versatility with seven points, including four aces. Regina Jurado and Kyla Cordora also made significant contributions with seven points each in UST’s well-rounded offensive strategy.
Coach Kungfu Reyes emphasized that there’s room for improvement, stating, “Hindi pa kami satisfied. Kailangan bigyan pa namin ng diin. Syempre, a win is a win pero ‘yung level ng nilalaro namin, kailangan itaas pa” (We’re not satisfied yet. We need to emphasize certain areas. Of course, a win is a win, but we need to elevate our level of play).
With one game remaining in the preliminary round, UST strengthened its quarterfinal prospects. Their last opponent in Pool B of SSL Season 2, presented in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission, is the two-time NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, which is yet to make its debut.
In their opening match, UST faced Perpetual and secured a 25-12, 21-25, 25-15, 25-21 victory, although they faced an early challenge against Letran, coached by former Ateneo mentor Almadro. During a tense moment with a 19-20 deficit, UST rallied and finished strong with a 6-1 run, highlighted by Gula’s ace, to claim the first set with a score of 25-21.
In the second set, UST maintained control with a 22-18 lead, but Letran mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 23-24 with a powerful shot from Marie Nitura from the backrow. Once again, Gula came to the rescue, using a soft touch off the block to secure a 2-0 lead.
UST’s dominance carried into the third set, where they raced to an impressive 18-8 start, ultimately winning by a convincing 11-point margin.
Marie Nitura led the scoring for the Lady Knights with 12 points, and they look to bounce back with a win against CSB next Saturday.
All SSL games are accessible live and on-demand through the social media pages of Plus Network and SSL, with Solar Sports, Blast TV, and Aliw Channel 23 serving as TV partners. (ai/mnm)
De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas have set the stage for an eagerly awaited semifinal showdown after securing divergent victories in the knockout quarterfinals of the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals.
The exhilarating clashes took place on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Spikers breezed past their opponents from Mindanao, Jose Maria College Foundation (JMCF), with a dominant performance resulting in a 25-18, 25-14, 25-19 victory.
Meanwhile, the Golden Tigresses had to overcome a challenge from Luzon contender and NAASCU champion Enderun Colleges, triumphing in four sets with scores of 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 25-14.
On Friday, La Salle and UST will collide in the first match of the highly anticipated Final Four, a rematch occurring three months after their enthralling semifinal battle during UAAP Season 85, which was ultimately claimed by the spikers from Taft.
Demonstrating their undeniable prowess as reigning UAAP champions, the Lady Spikers showcased an unstoppable performance even amidst the gathering of SSL champions from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
They secured yet another sweeping victory in just 67 minutes.
The dynamic duo of Shevana Laput and Thea Gagate once again asserted their dominance on both offensive and defensive fronts, leading La Salle to their third consecutive comfortable win without relinquishing a single set in the 12-team SSL.
The tournament is proudly presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as the office transport provider, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (ai/mnm)