UP is strengthening its volleyball campaign for UAAP Season 87 and beyond with the addition star spiker Casiey Dongallo to the Fighting Maroons.
The University of the Philippines is set to elevate its UAAP Season 87 and 88 campaigns with the arrival of Dr. Obet Vital and record-setting star spiker Casiey Dongallo to the Fighting Maroons.
Vital, a seasoned mentor with decades of experience at California Academy and as interim head coach of the University of the East, will serve as Benson Bocboc's assistant coach while spearheading UP’s newly formalized training pool and grassroots program.
Meanwhile, Dongallo, who tallied an incredible 291 points for the Lady Warriors in Season 86, will undergo a one-year residency in Diliman before suiting up in Season 88 and leading UP's charge into the future.
“The arrival of Doc Obet and his players is a sign that Mr. Frank Lao, SGA, and OASD are really sincere in developing the UP volleyball program. Their addition to our roster, together with our recruits this year, will definitely make our team a contender in the following years,” said UP volleyball program director Oliver Almadro.
Dongallo is joined by fellow transferees Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero, and Jenalyn Umayam, who will strengthen a lineup that features veterans Nina Ytang, Nica Celis, Irah Jaboneta, and youngsters Yesha Noceja and Bienne Bansil.
Under the guidance of Bocboc and new assistants Vital and Alohi Robbins-Hardy, the revamped women’s volleyball team will aim to break their Final Four drought since 2017.
In Season 86, UP finished last with a 1-13 record with the Fighting Maroons' only win coming against the then Dongallo-led UE Lady Warriors.
The Fighting Maroons will now aim to emulate the success of UP’s men’s basketball team, which clinched their second championship in four seasons last December.
"It's about time na palakasin din natin ang volleyball teams natin because they have great potential to be another source for unity ng UP community," said UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol.
"We welcome the entry of Doc Obet and his players 'di lang para palakasin ang WVT, but to also show that we're turning serious about competing in volleyball,” he added.