UAAP: Casiey Dongallo transfer to UP now official

Casiey Dongallo officially joins the UP Fighting Maroons. She will be eligible to play in UAAP Season 88. UP

Casiey Dongallo officially joins the UP Fighting Maroons. She will be eligible to play in UAAP Season 88. –HANDOUT PHOTO

University of the Philippines women’s volleyball team officially welcomed its newest recruits headlined by star spiker Casiey Dongallo.

The Fighting Maroons on Wednesday made their acquisition of Dongallo, along with fellow University of the East transferees Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero, and Jenalyn Umayam, and new member of the coaching staff Dr. Obet Vital official with photos of them in training.

READ: UAAP: Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero leave UE, transfer to UP

Vital also transferred from the Lady Red Warriors. They officially parted ways in December, just a few months before the start of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

“Their addition to our roster, together with our recruits this year, will definitely make our team a contender in the following years,” said UP volleyball program director Oliver Almadro in a press release.

According to UP,  Vital will oversee the “Fighting Maroons’ newly formalized training pool” and also serve as an assistant coach to Benson Bocboc.

Ussistant coach Dr. Obet Vital with UP Fighting Maroons women's volleyball head coach Benson Bocboc.

Ussistant coach Dr. Obet Vital with UP Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball head coach Benson Bocboc. –HANDOUT PHOTO

Dongallo and the rest of the transferees will have to serve residency before being able to suit up for UP. They will be available to play in UAAP Season 88.

One of the top rookies in her year, Dongallo will be bringing her impressive scoring prowess to a UP side that has been eager to end its Final Four drought in women’s volleyball.

READ: Casiey Dongallo shuts down transfer rumors: ‘No plans to leave UE’

UP is hopeful that its recent recruitment spree can also carry the women’s volleyball team to greater heights the same way the men’s basketball team has become a consistent contender in recent years.

“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,” said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Dir. Bo Perasol.

“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.”

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