HEAD COACH: Shaq delos Santos
LAST SEASON: 9-5 (4th)
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: Season 87 (2024-25)
LAST CHAMPIONSHIP: Season 72 (2009-10)
CHAMPIONSHIPS: 16
---
YEAR after year, the UAAP women’s volleyball crown has edged ever closer to España, teasing University of Santo Tomas with the promise of a long-awaited return to the mountaintop.
Coming off four consecutive Final Four appearances, the Golden Tigresses have established themselves as one of the most consistent programs of the post-pandemic era.
Yet consistency alone has not been enough.
Time and again, the black-and-gold has found itself just a handful of points, a few crucial rallies, or one less ill-timed injury away from completing the climb back to the top.
And that near-miss narrative has been particularly painful.
In Season 86, UST surged to its first finals appearance in nearly half a decade and opened the eliminations with a flawless 8–0 start, its best in history.
That momentum, however, was derailed by misfortune, most notably Angge Poyos’ ankle injury during the finals, which blunted the Golden Tigresses’ title charge.
Season 87 brought another test of resolve, as key contributors Xyza Gula and Jonna Perdido were sidelined by injuries, forcing the Thomasians to recalibrate on the fly and settle for yet another Final Four finish instead of a deeper run.
Despite those setbacks, the throughline has been clear: UST remains in the thick of things.
The Golden Tigresses have rarely dipped below the league’s upper tier, maintaining a level of competitiveness that many programs aspire to, but struggle to sustain.
And now, as they enter what could be a pivotal campaign, a major shift signals that the program is ready to push beyond 'almost.'
Shaq returns to España
After a decade at the helm, Kungfu Reyes has stepped away from sideline duties and into an administrative role as program director for the women’s and girls’ volleyball programs.
In his place is a familiar name with championship pedigree: Shaq delos Santos.
Delos Santos is not merely a returning coach, he is the last to lead UST to a UAAP women’s volleyball title, accomplishing the feat in Season 72, a full 26 years ago, when the Golden Tigresses also mirrored the men’s team in a rare championship double.
His comeback represents more than a change in leadership, as it reflects a deliberate effort to reconnect with a winning identity that has eluded this proud program for over two decades.
The timing may be ideal, as Poyos remains the centerpiece of the offense entering her third year, now seasoned by multiple deep playoff runs.
Gula and Perdido are back to reinforce the wings, while Reg Jurado offers veteran scoring stability. Cassie Carballo’s presence provides composure and playmaking as a former best setter and Marga Altea adds valuable versatility at the net.
Anchoring everything is graduating captain Detdet Pepito who remains the backbone of the system, as one of the league’s premier floor defenders.
The pieces are all there, but can UST put it all together this year?
Beyond near-misses
For years, the Golden Tigresses could point to injuries or bad breaks as the difference between a Final Four exit and a championship run.
This time, the margin for excuses is thinner, as the field appears more open, the roster more balanced, and the leadership more deliberate.
With delos Santos back calling the shots and a battle-tested core finally intact, UST is no longer just chasing alignment of the stars.
The real question now is whether this is the year the Golden Tigresses finally turn consistency into a long-awaited championship breakthrough.
---
Read up on what to expect from the other teams in UAAP Season 88 here:
UE UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Is there anything to look forward to for Lady Warriors?
ATENEO UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Blue Eagles remain upbeat for return to relevance
UP UAAP 88 PREVIEW: 'CAL Girls' should be undeniable for Maroons to be in the fight
ADAMSON UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Lady Falcons trust process of building around Shaina
FEU UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Lady Tams got grand plans of going 30 for 30
LA SALLE UAAP 88 PREVIEW: All set or not, here come Angel-Shev-Amie anew for Lady Spikers
NU UAAP 88 PREVIEW: Who said Lady Bulldogs golden age is over?
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
