Casiey Dongallo, three others leave UE to transfer to UP
Rising star Casiey Dongallo has decided to leave University of the East after just one season with the Lady Red Warriors as she brings her act to University of the Philippines.
Dongallo did so after her mentor and developmental expert Dr. Ober Vital also transferred to UP as one of the assistant coaches of newly-minted head coach Benson Bocboc. Vital had seen Dongallo rise from an aspirant in Cebu to a super rookie in the recent UAAP season.
Dongallo, who once broke a UAAP scoring record for a rookie in Season 86, will serve a one-year residency period before suiting up for the Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 88.
The 5-foot-7 outside spiker will be joined by her fellow former UE Lady Warriors in setter Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero, and Jenalyn Umayam as they look to provide help to the likes of Nina Ytang and former UAAP juniors MVP Kianne Olango.
"It's about time na palakasin din natin ang volleyball teams natin because they have great potential to be another source for unity ng UP community. We welcome the entry of Doc Obet and his players 'di lang para palakasin ang WVT, but to also show that we're turning serious about competing in volleyball," said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development director Bo Perasol.
Dongallo and the rest of the pack are hoping to improve UP's dismal 1-13 record last year and bring the school to its first Final four appearance since 2017.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News