UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) spoiled the debut of new Letran coach Oliver Almadro with a 25-21, 25-23, 25-14 win to stay unbeaten in the 2023 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Golden Tigresses carved out two close sets before mauling the Lady Knights in the third to bag their second straight win in Pool A of the 16-team SSL backed by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions and Genius Sports.

Dazzling rookies Angeline Poyos once again anchored with 13 points on 11 attacks, an ace and a block as UST took care of business against Letran in only 81 minutes after a four-set win over the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the opener.

Xyza Gula added nine while setter Cassie Carballo displayed a different facet of her game with seven points on four aces. Regina Jurado and Kyla Cordora also cashed in seven apiece in the Golden Tigresses’ scattered attack.

“We’re still not satisfied. A win is a win but with the level that we are playing right now, I think we still have more to show,” said coach Kungfu Reyes as UST, the SSL National Invitationals bronze medalist, fortified its quarterfinal bid with a game left in the preliminary round.

The Golden Tigresses have the two-time NCAA champion College of St. Benilde, which is yet to debut, as their last assignment in Pool B of the SSL Season 2 in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.

UST opened its campaign with a 25-12, 21-25, 2515, 25-21 win over Perpetual but found itself in early trouble against the souped-up Letran under the tutelage of former Ateneo mentor Almadro.