Golden Tigresses add 6-foot-4 Nigerian middle blocker

The UST Golden Tigresses have added Nigerian import Blessing Unekwe to bolster their roster for the upcoming UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, following their silver medal last season.

The 1.88m middle blocker was a member of the Nigerian women’s volleyball team and was also named the best middle blocker at the 2020 African U-18 Girls Volleyball Championship.

Her arrival will lengthen and strengthen the Golden Tigresses’ middle blocker lineup. She joins former Junior Golden Tigresses star Margaret Altea and returning players Bianca Plaza, Mae Coronado and Margaret Banagua.

Unekwe joins a promising crop of rookies that also includes Kapampangan recruit Ashlee Knop, along with former Junior Golden Tigresses Altea, Bien Arasan, Ysa Chua, Sandrine Escobar, Franzine Rameri, Francine Osis, Johna Ajero and Kaizah Huyno.

Unekwe has been training with the UST Golden Tigresses since earlier this year, but the team only officially announced her participation on Saturday.

With UST’s core largely intact aside from the graduating Pierre Abellana, there will be an arms race for a roster spot next season.

The Golden Tigresses are expected to participate in the 2024 Shakey’s Super League National Invitationals, which begin on Wednesday, July 10 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.