UAAP: UP’s Casiey Dongallo out for season due to ACL, mensicus tears
UP’s Casiey Dongallo is being attended to by team and medical staff after sustaining a knee injury during a game against FEU in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. Dongallo has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to ACL and meniscus tears in her left knee.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Casiey Dongallo’s first season with the University of the Philippines was cut short after she suffered ACL and meniscus tears in her left knee.
UP on Saturday announced that the star recruit is set to undergo surgery, which will sideline her for the rest of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball.
READ: UAAP: Casiey Dongallo opens new era with UP debut
“She’s in a great mood. I’m surprised she never felt the desperation. She came to the (next) game, she comes to our training, still smiling,” said UP coach Fabio Menta. “Now, we want to be optimistic. By late December or January next year, she’ll be training again. Hopefully.”
The Cebuana spiker sustained the injury at the end of the first set of UP’s straight-set loss to Far Eastern University last Sunday.
She landed awkwardly after a spike attempt and was assisted on her way back to the locker room.
In Dongallo’s absence, her fellow transferee from the University of the East, Jelai Gajero, is expected to continue backstopping veterans Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta in taking care of the open hitter position.
READ: UAAP: Casiey Dongallo has triumphant UP debut vs ex-team UE
Menta said the Fighting Maroons are eager to step up and stay focused on their goal to end a decade-long playoff drought.
“Casiey’s a big loss, but the girls understand they need to do more now to compensate,” he said. “The girls are ok. They’re working and hopefully, we find the right adjustments. We are preparing hard to do our best.”
UP faces Adamson on Sunday, looking to bounce back after back-to-back losses with a 3-3 card.
The 20-year-old Dongallo looks to return in Season 89 for the second of her three seasons of eligibility with the Fighting Maroons.
