California Academy standouts mulling offers from PVL, UAAP teams

California Academy players during the Shakey’s Girls Invitational. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After ruling the Shakey’s Girls Invitational Volleyball League, the core players of California Academy are also considering jumping to the pros, amid offers from UAAP and NCAA schools.

Tournament MVP Casiey Dongallo bared that she along with Best Outside Spiker Jelaica Gajero, Best Setter Kizzie Madriaga, and libero Grace Fernandez have received offers to play together in the Premier Volleyball League but didn’t disclose which club.

“Iyong mga options po naman is either mag-UAAP or mag-pro ball po,” said Dongallo after scoring 17 points in California’s title-clinching 25-18, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19 win over Naga College Foundation on Saturday at San Andres Gym in Manila.

“Kasi po, pro iniisip na po kasi namin pag nag-pro ka, may allowance ka na makukuha tapos iyong allowance na po na iyon gagamitin po namin sa business which is mag-invest po kami kay coach (Obet Vital) kasi si coach po owner po sya ng school. Kapag nag-invest po kami sa kanya, habang nag-aaral kami ng college, maglalaro kami ng pro may income din po kami,” she added.

But Dongallo said they are not closing their doors on taking their talents to a college team as they drew offers from a university, which she also didn’t divulge.

“Meron po. Kaming apat po, meron po kaming school na kino-consider na baka puntahan po namin sa UAAP,” the Shakey’s MVP said.

“Both po may nagooffer and also pro. TInetake time po namin yung pag decide because it’s a life changing decision so kailangan talaga mag-ingat ingat sa decision hindi basta basta,” added Gajero, who led California with 18 points in the Finals.

Gajero said that their quartet with Dongallo, Madriaga, and Fernandez hope to stick together in the next chapter of their volleyball careers.

“We’re trying to stick together po talaga kasi sayang yung pinaghirapan namin six years na magkakasama kami tas bigla lang magkakahiwalay. Mas maganda pag sama sama,” Gajero said.

California Academy made waves when it joined the first season of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League last 2021 as the high school squad stunned pro team Petro Gazz during the elimination round.

The Antipolo-based school ruled the second edition of the Champions League last year before sweeping the Shakey’s League, winning all of its five matches.

“Pinag-iisipan pa po namin iyong mga opportunities po kasi sabi nga po ni coach, hindi lang kami basta basta maggdedecide kundi pag-usapan iyong mga opportunities talaga,” said Dongallo.

For now, California, sans Gajero due to age, will see action in a qualifier, hoping to play in Palarong Pambansa.