Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
11 a.m. — Letran vs UST
2 p.m. — JRU vs SSC-R
5 p.m. — FEU vs Mapua
The new-look University of the East made short work of Jose Rizal University, 25-14, 25-21, 25-19, for a sizzling debut in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 on Sunday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Rookie Casiey Dongallo made a rousing introduction in the collegiate ranks by firing 20 points — all on attacks — to spearhead the Lady Warriors’ sweep for a 1-0 slate in Pool A that also has reigning champion National U and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The California Academy standout, who reigned as the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League MVP last summer, played only in the last two sets but still proved too much to handle for the Lady Bombers.
Nine more players ramped up the scoring board led by six points each from Ashley Cañete and Riza Nogales as UE needed only 74 minutes to dispatch JRU in Day 2 of the 16-team SSL Season 2.
“First, I love the fact there’s an all-to-play rule to give opportunity to all players. We’re still trying to work on two separate line-ups for the first six on both sets. So far, I’m happy that both the line-ups executed well,” said deputy mentor Obet Vital, who spoke on behalf of head coach Jerry Yee.
“It’s a pretty good win but in the long run as the league gets going, we have to gel and have better chemistry. There were some slow spots in the three sets.”
Without Dongallo in the opener, veteran KC Cepeda, who finished with five points, carried UE to a 19-9 gap with little to no resistance from JRU en route to a deciding 11-point win.
Then came Dongallo, who ran roughshod on the Lady Bombers by anchoring a 10-4 rally highlighted by backrow hit to catapult the Lady Warriors to an 18-12 upperhand from an 8-8 deadlock early in the second set.
Even a slow start in the clincher with a 7-8 deficit could not stop Dongallo and the Lady Warriors as her hammer down the line capped a 9-2 blitz to take command at 16-10 heading home with Kizzie Madriaga, the GVIL Best Setter, quarterbacking their attack.
Karyla Rafael Jasareno, with nine points, served as the only bright spot for the Lady Bombers.
UE, which missed the services of another super rookie in Jelaica Gajero due to an ACL injury, takes on the mighty NU next on Saturday as JRU attempts to rebound against San Sebastian on Monday for the second week of the SSL in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.
Meanwhile, Arellano University also ran away with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 beatdown of San Beda in an all-NCAA duel late Saturday night behind the 12 and 10 points of Laika Tudlasan and Pauline de Guzman, respectively.
“We are very happy with the win. The SSL is a great opportunity for the players to show their skills and experience playing teams outside the NCAA,” coach Obet Javier said.
