UST, UP victorious in Round of 8 opener

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas weathered a fourth-set scare from Ateneo De Manila University to eke out a 25-16, 25-20, 21-25, 25-21, victory in the Round of 8 Pool F opener of the 2026 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup Round of 8 on Sunday at the Imus Sports Complex. The Golden Tigresses held off the Blue Eagles in the tight fourth frame after squandering a six-point lead to remain unbeaten in the league’s centerpiece competition, backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R&B Milk Tea. UST controlled the first two sets, only to lose steam in the third before showing resolve late in the fourth to seal the two-hour, nine-minute win and inch closer to clinching a quarterfinals twice-to-beat advantage. “Sa third set, nakulangan kami sa attack variation and 'yung diskarte namin since nababasa na ng kalaban 'yung mga ginagawa namin. 'Yung ginawa naming adjustments sa fourth set is mas sinipagan namin and mas naging mahaba ang pasensya namin sa sarili namin kapag naba-block o nadedepensahan kami,” said Tigresses winger Marga Altea, who scored 15 points on 11 kills and four kill blocks. Ashlee Knop finished with 12 points while Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado added 11...