University of Santo Tomas is taking advantage of its participation in the Shakey's Super League National Invitationals to build chemistry and allow new recruits to adapt to its system.

The Tigresses are in rebuilding mode after the departure of grizzled veterans and key players following their fourth-place finish in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85.

Working on its team cohesion will be the primary goal of UST in its campaign in the tournament featuring the top three teams in the UAAP and the National Collegiate Athletic Association along with two qualifiers each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The Kungfu Reyes-mentored squad was tapped as a replacement for UAAP Season 85 runner-up National University, who begged off from participating due to national team commitment.

"Of course, our skills are already there so we just really need to build on our chemistry as a team. So far, we're still rebuilding," winger Regina Jurado said.

"That's what we really need because we have lots of new players coming in including those from (UST) high school."

The Tigresses are also using their campaign to gauge where their progress as a young team is ahead of the UAAP wars next year.

"Our lineup here in the Shakey's (National Invitationals) serves as our guide or a test on who will carry the team in the UAAP next season," team captain and ace libero Detdet Pepito said.

She added that the squad is still adjusting to big changes after main scorer Eya Laure and top middle blocker Imee Hernandez decided to forgo their playing eligibility to move up to the professional ranks.

UST also saw the departure of Milena Alessandrini, setter Maji Mangulabnan and KC Galdones.