An explosive triple-header fires off the international-flavored 2026 Shakey’s Collegiate National Invitationals on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Letran College gets the first crack at the visiting Southern Storm Melbourne of Australia in the 1 p.m. curtain-raiser, followed by a 3 p.m. clash between University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Enderun Colleges. College of Saint Benilde then battles Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City Volleyball Club at 5 p.m. to cap the action-packed opening day of the weeklong competition.

The Lady Knights, despite missing key veterans due to injuries, march into battle carrying the momentum of their National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 101 title conquest.

All eyes are on NCAA Season 101 Finals Most Valuable Player Judiel Nitura, who takes over the leadership mantle for a Letran side playing sans injured mainstays Gia Maquillang (knee) and Vanessa Sarie (right shoulder).

The Lady Knights are in for a stern litmus test right out of the gate as they adjust to the towering length and physical style of the Australians.

“We want to see how our new players will perform and how we will play against foreign teams,” Letran head coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki said.

On the other hand, Lady Blazers head coach Jerry Yee is eager to test his squad’s mettle against the formidable Vietnamese visitors.

“Hopefully, we can compete well and showcase our brand of volleyball against international competition,” Yee said.

Saint Benilde will be gunning to capture the crown this time around after a runner-up finish in the Luzon leg of last year’s National Invitationals.

Meanwhile, University Athletic Association of the Philippines powerhouse UST eyes a strong start in its bid for a return to the podium since capturing the bronze medal in the 2023 edition. The Golden Tigresses fell short of a Final Four seat in 2024 and skipped the three-leg staging of the competition last year.

Regina Jurado, Angge Poyos, Avril Bron, Marga Altea, and prized rookie Kim Rubin banner the stacked España side against the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities multi-champion Lady Titans.