UAAP volleyball: Casiey Dongallo struggles to find rhythm vs taller La Salle

UE Red Warriors’ Casiey Dongallo in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Casiey Dongallo had her lowest scoring output of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament as the University of the East sustained its fourth straight loss to defending champion La Salle, which she considers the gold standard in the league.

Dongallo, who was averaging 26.0 points after the first four games, was limited to 15 points in their 21-25, 18-25, 10-25 loss to La Salle on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

The UE super rookie admitted it was hard to score against the towering Lady Spikers.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

“La Salle is just a great team. They have the height and the skills. I’m just happy we’re able to stay close with them in the first set and scored 21 knowing how big they are,“ said Dongallo in Filipino.

“It was really hard to score against them. Everytime I just, there are three towering middle blockers right in front of you.”

The California Academy product said La Salle is the standard of volleyball and this experience will help UE improve as it tries to end a four-game skid.

READ: Casiey Dongallo eager to make UE a winner in UAAP volleyball

“As I player, I felt like my output was not bad considering we were playing against La Salle,” she said. “While it’s low compared to my other games, but I’m not taking it negatively.”

The UE rising star played as a middle blocker against La Salle but she refused to consider it a reason for her scoring dip as she’s been used to the position since high school and in their preseason campaign.

READ: UAAP volleyball: Casiey Dongallo’s historic night goes for naught

“I didn’t have a hard time, because my coaches already told me during training that I could play the position. And I also played middle blocker in CAL and during the pre-season,” she said. “It was just that I looked small compared to the opponent’s middle blockers.

Casiey Dongallo on facing Angel Canino and La Salle. #UAAPSeason86 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/qnttuh1ubb

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Dongallo relished her first duel against reigning MVP Angel Canino, who had 17 points on 16-of-31 attacking clip.

“Playing against her (Angel Canino) po, magaling po si ate Angel. Magaling po siya. Nu’ng na-up ko po ‘yung palo ni ate Angel. Sabi sa’kin ni Kizzie (Madriaga), ‘bigat pala ng palo niya.’ Every palo niya po ata, wala kaming nakukuha, ‘di po namin nakukuha eh. Lahat po ‘yun puntos,” she said.