California Academy’s Jelaica Gajero. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Jelaica Gajero is fulfilled to complete her last dance in high school with a Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League championship for California Academy.
Gajero played her last game for California, pouring in a team-high 18 points in their title-clinching 25-18, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19 win over Naga College Foundation to accomplish a perfect title campaign on Saturday at San Andres Gym in Manila.
“I’m very proud of myself. Everything has paid off since this is my last dance, my last league in high school so I gave my 110 percent,” said Gajero in Filipino after dropping 13 attacks and five blocks in the championship game.
It was California Academy’s second commercial league title in Manila following their impressive run to rule last year’s Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League.
“We always do our best every game win or lose. But we’re not depending on the results, we’re always looking at how our team performs,” Gajero said in Filipino.
Caisey Dongallo, who emerged as the league MVP, was also happy to win a championship in their final game together in high school with core players including graduating Kizzie Madriaga and libero Grace Fernandez.
“Of course, we’re happy because four of our players are graduating including me. I’m happy that in our last game together we became the first-ever champions of Shakey’s GVIL,” said Dongallo in Filipino after backing up Gajero with 17 points in the final.
“I didn’t expect to be the MVP. To be honest, our setter and team captain Kizzie Madriaga deserves this because, throughout this tournament, she never stopped motivating us that we can do it and keep on fighting. She’s always there to lift the team up on the days that we were down.”
The core of the Antipolo-based school is hoping to stick together as the four graduating players are weighing their options if they will jump to the pros in the Premier Volleyball League or accept the offer from UAAP schools.
Gajero won’t be eligible in California’s bid in the Palarong Pambansa due to age but she will be there to support her teammates, who are eyeing another championship.