UST, Benilde arrange highly anticipated SCNI championship rematch

Tiger Scores365

The stage is set for a blockbuster finale in the 2026 Shakey's Collegiate National Invitationals.

Powerhouses University of Santo Tomas and College of Saint Benilde made quick work of their semifinal opponents on Friday, booking a winner-take-all championship showdown with convincing straight-set victories at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The unbeaten Golden Tigresses continued their dominant march by overwhelming Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 25-10, 25-19, 25-12, to improve to 6-0 and reach their first SCNI finals.

The Lady Blazers then punched their own ticket by sweeping Australian guest team Southern Storm Melbourne, 25-19, 25-23, 25-11, setting up a much-anticipated rematch with UST on Sunday at the Playtime FilOil Arena in San Juan.

Benilde leaned on Camila Bartolome, who delivered 14 points from 12 attacks, an ace, and a block to lead the Lady Blazers back to the title match after finishing as runners-up in last year's Luzon leg.

"I think 'yung nakatulong sa amin kanina is yung composure. Kasi kahit galit na si coach, hindi pa rin kami nagpapadala. Mas eager kaming manalo ngayon," Bartolome said.

Fionna Inocentes backed her with 11 points, while Mhonniecka Soliven and Mary Grace Borromeo added timely contributions.

The Lady Blazers faced their biggest test in the second set after falling behind 20-15, but they calmly answered with a 10-3 finishing run before dominating the third set from start to finish to wrap up the match in just 75 minutes.

Southern Storm, led by Sammy Pila and Cleo Anastasias with eight points each, will battle Letran for third place.

UST was equally impressive in the day's opening semifinal.

The Golden Tigresses overwhelmed the Lady Knights behind balanced scoring and relentless net defense, with team captain Regina Jurado finishing with 12 points and three digs.

"Hindi po ako nagpapadala sa pressure ng underline (team captain uniform mark). I can play my game freely with the team," Jurado said.

"Gusto namin magpatuloy 'yung success ng UST dito," she added, citing the school's recent championships in the Shakey's Girls Volleyball Invitational League Rising Stars Cup and Juniors National Invitationals.

Marga Altea produced 13 points, including four blocks, while Angge Poyos returned to score 10 markers as UST piled up 11 kill blocks and capitalized on Letran's 27 errors.

The Lady Knights never found sustained momentum, with leading scorer Verenicce Colendra held to seven points.

Sunday's championship will renew a budding rivalry after UST defeated Benilde in four sets during the elimination round, with both teams now getting another opportunity to prove themselves on the tournament's biggest stage.

Meanwhile, Enderun Colleges claimed fifth place after sweeping Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club, 25-19, 25-17, 25-19.