Showing so much cohesion, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses needed just 85 minutes to dust off Ateneo and get their Shakey’s Super League Collegiate preseason championship off on a smashing note on Sunday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

With Cassie Carballo finding her spikers at the right spots, the Tigresses carved out a 25-11, 25-20, 25-17 conquest of the Blue Eagles in Pool F as Santo Tomas, second placer to National U in the last UAAP, served notice of its capability.

Article continues after this advertisement

And much of that stems from a team bond that only time can forge.

“Our relationship outside the court is such a big factor,” Carballo said in Filipino after she finished with 13 excellent sets and three points. “We get to take that relationship to the court. That’s why we’re such a solid team.”

Dongallo takes charge

The prolific Angge Poyos led the Tigresses with 17 points as Santo Tomas only encountered some rough sailing early in the second set.

Article continues after this advertisement

Santo Tomas next battles Far Eastern on Friday, while Ateneo clashes with University of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, University of the East (UE) repelled College of Saint Benilde’s late third set fightback to eke out a 25-19, 25-18, 25-23 victory in Pool E.

Alas Pilipinas mainstay Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero showed the way for the Lady Warriors at crunch time, pounding in crucial kills to silence the only NCAA team in the playoffs.

UE shattered a 19-19 deadlock in the third set with three straight points to create a separation before Chenae Basarte and Clydel Catarig led the Lady Blazers’ 3-1 counterattack to close in, 23-22, before Dongallo pushed the Lady Warriors to match point.

Dongallo finished with 16 points.