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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Golden Tigresses aim to reclaim UAAP women's volley crown in Season 88

Golden Tigresses aim to reclaim UAAP women's volley crown in Season 88

Published Feb 12, 2026 01:09 pm

At A Glance

  • Armed with a solid core under the tutelage of returning veteran coach Shaq Delos Santos, University of Santo Tomas is looking to reclaim the UAAP women's volleyball crown in Season 88 which begins this weekend.
UST stars Detdet Pepito, left, and Reg Jurado (UAAP Media)
UST stars Detdet Pepito, left, and Reg Jurado (UAAP Media)
Armed with a solid core under the tutelage of returning veteran coach Shaq Delos Santos, University of Santo Tomas is looking to reclaim the UAAP women’s volleyball crown in Season 88 which begins this weekend.
With Detdet Pepito, Angge Poyos, Cassie Carballo, and Reg Jurado still in the fold, Delos Santos tries to conjure the magic he once weaved for the Golden Tigresses in Season 72 in 2010 where Rhea Dimaculangan-Villarete anchored the school to its 16th overall title – also its most recent – in the women's division.
Delos Santos hopes the quartet would lead the España-based squad in elevating their game for a much-better outcome after a couple of runner-up and Final Four finishes in the past years.
“Actually, sobrang happy and proud ako sa team namin, kasi syempre, buo pa naman ‘yong core, maraming mga beterano. Kailangan kung ano ‘yong naging performance namin before, kailangan mag-step up pa kami,” said Delos Santos.
“Kasi syempre ang goal talaga is mataas talaga. Hindi pwedeng makapag-join lang kami, o makapaglaro lang kami this coming UAAP. Better kung ma-re-reach namin yung championship,” he added.
In Season 87, UST came up short for a title shot after bowing to the Angel Canino-starred De La Salle, which was armed with a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis.
The result was an absolute setback for the Tigresses – as they reached the finals a year ago – no thanks to injuries that plagued their key players in Xyza Gula and Jonna Perdido before the season started.
Both Gula and Perdido will be suiting up this year, a development that could prove pivotal as Em Banagua has been ruled out with a knee injury, according to Delos Santos.
Jurado said the transition to Delos Santos’ system has been seamless, noting similarities with their previous setup which eased them, including the returnees and rookies, in their adjustments.
“So far, mahaba-haba naman po ‘yong preparation under our new coach, wala naman pong masyadong difference sa sistema,” said Jurado. “Very hands on po sya, and tutok na tutok po sya sa adjustment sa system na gusto nya pong i-incorporate samin.”
UST faces a tough challenge right away as it battles reigning champion National University this Sunday, Feb. 15, at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“Focus lang din muna kami sa team namin, ‘yong main goal namin for now, especially sa first game namin against a defending champion [NU],” said Delos Santos.
“So, sobrang kailangan namin mag-prepare, mag-ready, bakbakan talaga to. Kailangan mag-call out talaga,” he concluded.
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