Casiey Dongallo gets a new start with the UP Fighting Maroons as she makes her return for the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament.
It’s going to be a clean slate for Casiey Dongallo as she returns to UAAP action with her new team, the UP Fighting Maroons.
After previously wowing with the UE Lady Warriors during her rookie year in UAAP Season 86, Dongallo has since worked on a new beginning – one with tremendous promise as she looks to tow UP back to the Final Four.
Now with a more loaded arsenal, the Fighting Maroons are getting ready to get their first Final Four appearance since UAAP Season 78.
For Dongallo, her return after residency is a challenge as she looks to find success with the UP program.
“Super excited kasi syempre, it's been a year na nag-off ako and also I'm playing for a new team na din,” she said.
“And excited na akong makabalik ulit sa court at maramdaman na natin yung feeling na naglalaro ka para sa school mo.”
Dongallo burst onto the scene in Season 86 with UE, setting multiple rookie records including most points for a season.
But that could be just the tip of the iceberg for the talented spiker.
“Kasi nung Season 86, parang marami pa rin ako kailangan i-work on. And nung nag-off ako, nag-focus talaga si coach Fabio [Menta] at ako sa isang posisyon talaga,” said Dongallo, who plays as a natural Outside Hitter.
“Kasi knowing nung Season 86, parang nagmi-middle ako. So ngayon, nag-stay na lang talaga ako sa isang posisyon,” she continued.
Casiey Dongallo is hoping to pick up where she left off in her rookie year in UAAP Season 86. | Photo: RM Chua / One Sports
New directions
Though the journey back to the UAAP court has been long and hard, it wasn’t something that Dongallo had to do alone.
Along with Dongallo, other players from UE had transferred to Diliman, including fit-again Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Jenalyn Umayam, and Shamel Fernandez.
The familiarity made the transition easy for Dongallo, but it also didn’t hurt that the Fighting Maroons were all willing to do their part in making them feel right at home.
“Actually, ano naman, hindi siya ganang kahirap. Kasi knowing other players ng UP, parang nakakasama na rin namin sila or nakakahalubilo na namin sila,” Dongallo said.
“So, hindi naman ganun kahirap kasi also yung seniors namin, parang sobrang welcoming naman nila.”
In a tough UAAP field, the addition of Dongallo alone will not guarantee success for UP. But after taking a year off, Casiey hopes to be able to impact her new team in the way that she knows best.
“Siguro, ano, [gusto ko] mas makatulong lang ako sa team ulit,” said Dongallo.
“Kasi, actually I'm still working on myself. Syempre, nandun yung self-doubt and I'm still finding my confidence pa rin. Kasi sobrang laki ng gap ng one year, di ba? And, nandyan naman yung coaches and yung mga teammates ko, para tulungan ako para makuha yun,” she added.
Dongallo and UP open their UAAP Season 88 campaign against familiar faces as they face off against the UE Lady Warriors on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.