Davao city: The University of the Philippines secured a commanding 25-11, 25-13, 25-15 victory against Davao Selection during the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals held at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym.
According to Philippines News Agency, Casiey Dongallo led the charge for the Fighting Maroons, scoring a game-high 15 points, with seven points coming in the decisive third set. During this set, UP staged an 8-0 run to overturn a 9-10 deficit. Teammates Kiane Olango and Nina Ytang contributed 12 and 11 points, respectively, to the win.
Italian coach Fabio Menta reflected on the team’s performance, highlighting the impact of player rotation on team chemistry. “When we start changing players, of course, it’s not the same type of (chemistry) inside. We’ve only done ball only for one month, so not all 14 players are the same level right now,” said Menta, noting the 25 errors made by UP. He emphasized the importance of adhering to team rules, using a timeout to refocus the players after falling behind 9-10.
On the opposing side, Davao Selection’s Elysha Cabingatan scored four points, with support from players like Isabelle Andal, Rika Sasaki, Rizza Salvanera, Angelica Ordinaria, and Kyle Esteves, who collectively added 10 points. The team featured talents from Ateneo de Davao University, Holy Cross of Davao College, and the University of Mindanao.
In other action, National University kicked off the tournament with a win over Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, ending with scores of 25-19, 25-13, 25-19. Kaye Bombita led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points, while Arah Panique contributed eight points. Rookies Samantha Cantada and Denesse Daylisan also performed well, adding seven and six points, respectively.
NU assistant coach Alvin Dumalaog praised the team’s performance, acknowledging the need for adjustments as they return to competitive play. Additional contributions came from Chams Maaya with seven points, skipper Vange Alinsug with six points, and veteran setter Lams Lamina, who made nine excellent sets.
The tournament is organized by Athletic Events and Sports Management, Inc. (ACES) and supported by several regional organizations. The team with the best win-loss record in this single round-robin format will be crowned champion. The next legs of the tournament are scheduled to be held in Cebu and Batangas.
