UAAP: Casiey Dongallo ‘humbled’ by Alyssa Valdez comparisons

UE Lady Warriors’ Casiey Dongallo.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Casiey Dongallo drew comparisons to former UAAP MVP Alyssa Valdez after wrapping up her stellar rookie season with University of the East where he emerged as the best scorer of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

Dongallo is honored and humbled after the volleyball fans see the resemblance of her spiking form with Valdez’s hitting abilities. The comparison to one of the best volleyball players who ever saw action in the UAAP inspires the 18-year-old spiker to continue improving her game and make history for UE.

“Thankful din kasi nakikita nilang ganun pala pero at the same time nilalagay ko sa isip ko na ang layo pa din. Knowing ate Alyssa, ang layo pa ng potential ko sa kanya. Ang dami ko pang kailangan trabahuin para mameet ko yung ganun,” Dongallo told Inquirer Sports.

READ: UAAP: Dongallo looks forward to stronger UE next season

“Masaya din ako as an 18-year-old na nakikita din ng mga tao na may potential din ako like ate Aly.”

Like Valdez, who won three MVP awards and delivered Ateneo’s first two titles in Seasons 76 and 77, Dongallo hopes to bring the same impact to the Lady Warriors in her upcoming playing years. 

“Kaya nga po kami pumunta sa UE kasi we want to make history. Getting that win it will take a process. This season nasa sixth place na kami hoping next season iba naman, unti unti magiging progress sa UE,” said Dongallo after scoring 28 points to beat University of the Philippines in four sets on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Hoping na before ako grumaduate, makamit namin kung ano yung gusto namin.”

UE Lady Warriors’ Casiey Dongallo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

READ: UAAP: Casie Dongallo powers UE past UP in final game of season

In her first season, Dongallo emerged as the best scorer with a total of 291 points — just a point ahead of the University of Santo Tomas super rookie Angge Poyos — even playing as a middle blocker.

Becoming the rookie to score the most points in a season in the current era, the California Academy product credited her scoring prowess to her teammates, especially setter Kizzie Madriaga. 

“Masaya ako para sa sarili ko 291 points as a rookie kasi hindi ko ineexpect na magiging ganito yung kalalabasan ko sa first UAAP season ko. Hindi ko kinakalimutan yung tulong ng teammates ko kasi hindi naman ako makakuha ng ganitong points without them,” said Dongallo.

“Thankful din ako sa tiwala ni doc [Obet Vital] na ilagay ako sa first six kahit rookie pa lang ako. Thankful ako kay Kizzie sa tiwala niya na bigyan ako ng ganung set para makakuha ng 291 points and lyung passers ko and libero sasabihin nila, “Casiey palo ka lang, magcocover kami.” Ako as a hitter, nakakaboost yun ng confidence.”

After an impressive season and giving UE three wins — the school’s best finish since 2019, Dongallo hopes to return to her natural position as outside spiker to unleash her full potential and take her game to the next level.

“Kung ano man yung nakikita niyong Casiey ngayo,  I will still work hard and do more sa training para ibang Casiey naman ang makita next season,” she said. “Sana naman mabalik ako sa original position ko para I can still do more kasi ang liit ko then makakalaban ko matatangkad na middle.”