UE Lady Warriors star Casiey Dongallo voiced her frustration over the timing of coach Jerry Yee's temporary suspension in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
More than losing their head coach during their match versus Adamson University last Sunday, it was the mental toll that greatly affected the University of the East as the Lady Warriors eyed their second win in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
After the match, UE’s super rookie Casiey Dongallo couldn’t help but express her disappointment over the timing of coach Jerry Yee’s suspension.
According to the UAAP, Yee "had engaged in acts inconsistent with the league's objectives to foster camaraderie and fair play."
[ALSO READ: 'Walang due process': UE coach Jerry Yee laments temporary suspension placed by UAAP for Season 86]
Dongallo admitted that the absence of their coach weigh heavily on the team's morale during the first and second sets of the game.
“Nung first and second set, mentally down kami. I think isa po ‘yun [Coach Jerry Yee’s suspension] sa naging dagdag sa isipin namin. But as the game flows, ‘di naman po nagkulang ‘yung coaches namin na i-remind kami to set that aside,” Dongallo told the media.
However, according to Dongallo, the news of Yee’s suspension did not come as a complete shock to her and the rest of the team.
“Hindi po kami masyadong na-shock sa naging balita po sa amin kasi nga may naririnig na rin kami na baka nga pag ganitong game, i-off si coach Jerry,” said Dongallo.
“Nandun po 'yung coaches namin na parang i-motivate kami na dapat hindi kami magpadala sa ganung bagay. We just have to use it as a motivation,” she added.
[ALSO READ: LOOK: UE Lady Warriors rally for coach Jerry Yee with black armbands]
The Lady Warriors would go on to snatch the third set and even nearly forced a fifth set before bowing to the Lady Falcons.
Despite the mental toll, Dongallo was able to finish with a game-high 26 points built on 23 attacks and three blocks.
With the season still far from over, Dongallo is ready to move forward from all the drama that ensued last Sunday as they prepare to face the defending champions, De La Salle Lady Spikers on Wednesday, March 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena at 4:00 p.m.
“I think we just have to move forward, mag-ensayo ulit sa training, ayusin kung ano man ‘yung [dapat] ayusin, especially yung mental state namin,” said Dongallo. “I think kailangan po talaga naming palakasin ‘yung utak namin, knowing na nagpadala kami sa mga nangyari sa labas.”