A NEW-LOOK University of the East (UE) made short work of Jose Rizal University (JRU), 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 roaring introduction of herself in the collegiate ranks by firing 20 points—all on attacks—to lead the Lady Warriors in sending a strong message in Pool A that includes reigning champion National University and San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
The California Academy standout, who was named MVP of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (last summer, played only in the last two sets but still proved too much to handle for the Lady Bombers.
Nine Lady Warriors scored six points or more—Ashley Cañete and Riza Nogales—for UE which wrapped up the match in 74 minute.
“First, I love the fact there’s an all-to-play rule to give opportunity to all players,” said UE deputy coach Obet Vital, who subbed for head coach Jerry Yee in the post-match interview. “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.”
Without Dongallo in the first set, veteran KC Cepeda, who finished with five points, carried UE to a 19-9 lead.
Dongallo was sent in and ran roughshod on the Lady Bombers by anchoring a 10-4 rally highlighted by a backrow hit that sent the Lady Warriors to an 18-12 advantage from an 8-8 deadlock early in the second set.
Karyla Rafael Jasareno had nine points for the only bright spot for the Lady Bombers.
UE, which missed the services of another super rookie in Jelaica Gajero because of an ACL injury, takes on the NU on Saturday as JRU ties to rebound against San Sebastian on Monday.
Arellano University, meanwhile, scored a 25-16, 25-21, 25-21 sweep of San Beda on Saturday night behind the 12 and 10 points of Laika Tudlasan and Pauline de Guzman, respectively.