UE just secured the backing of a very influential, well-connected group.
There might be a changing of the guard in UAAP women’s volleyball.
Season 85 champions De La Salle Lady Spikers, for instance, will be without key players Mars Alba, Jolina dela Cruz, and Fifi Sharma, who have all taken their talents to the PVL. Runners-up NU Lady Bulldogs will be similarly handicapped, losing Jen Nierva, Joyme Cagande, and Cess Robles also to the pro ranks.
That means other teams will have a golden opportunity to rise up and take the mantle.
One of those teams might be the UE Lady Warriors, who finished dead last in Season 85 with only one win and a measly three points.
The Lady Warriors are looking at red letter days as soon as Season 86 after securing the backing of Strong Group Athletics (SGA), which currently supports several teams both in the collegiate ranks and in the pros, notably the Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL.
And, already, SGA’s support seems to be paying off handsomely for the Recto-based squad after the former secured the commitment of highly touted high schoolers Casiey Dongallo, Jelaica Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Grace Fernandez, and Claire Castillo. The quintet are products of California Academy, whose volleyball program has been among the country’s best.
“IT'S OFFICIAL! The Strong Group Athletics (SGA) welcomes Casiey Dongallo, Jelaica Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Grace Fernandez, and Claire Castillo of California Academy to the women's volleyball program of the University of the East,” said SGA in a Facebook post announcing the quintet’s commitment to UE.
The Frank Lao-founded group also announced that Dr. Obet Vital, California Academy’s volleyball coach, will be coming over as one of head coach Jerry Yee’s assistants.
With the additions of Dongallo, Gajero, Madriaga, Fernandez, and Castillo and the backing of SGA, UE might very well be on its way to becoming a contender—or at least a better showing next season.