UE Lady Warriors' Casiey Dongallo takes on UP defenders during a UAAP Season 86 women's tournament game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – Casiey Dongallo capped off his rookie year at the University of the East (UE) with a 23-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-22 victory against the University of the Philippines (UP) in Season 86 UAAP women's volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Dongallo, the Lady Warriors' promising freshman slugger, racked up 28 points built on 25 attacks, two blocks and an ace to help UE snap a five-game losing skid and finish with a 3-11 record, their best since 2019.
“Given the rookies we played, I felt like we did really well. I could have done better, but I am very proud of the achievements so far,” said UE interim head coach Obet Vital as the Lady Warriors avenged their first-round loss to the Fighting Maroons.
SCHEDULE: Second volleyball round of UAAP season 86
“This is the first time in a long time that the EU has come sixth and that is what we wanted. We came to the EU to make history, be it victories or defeats. Today the last ball fell and that's what I told them. And we made history,” he added.
Dongallo also broke the scoring record after achieving 291 points to surpass University of Santo Tomas debutant Angge Poyos' mark of 268 at the time of posting. The Golden Tigresses will close the preliminary round with a match against La Salle on the night.
Casiey Dongallo of the EU Lady Warriors. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“I'm very proud of them. We're setting the tone for what else is to come. We are very excited, closing with the victory and quickly looking to the future. Season 87 and all pre-season leagues as well. So we are very happy”, said Vital.
Rizza Nogales supported Dongallo with 17 points on 14 attacks, two blocks and an ace, Kayce Balingit added 10 points on seven kills and three blocks and Khy Cepada nine attack points.
READ: Casiey Dongallo eager to make UE a winner in UAAP volleyball
“We should have a goal that we haven’t reached, but we’re still here,” Dongallo said. “In our last game, we won, fortunately, and we were able to give that to the seniors because I told them that they will leave the EU with a different story.”
UP, in turn, had Irah Jaboneta and Stephanie Bustrillo at the forefront of the attack, finishing with 15 points each, while central Niña Ytang had 13 points.
Bustrillo came in with 14 attack points and a block, Jaboneta 13 kills, a block and an ace, as well as 10 excellent digs, while Ytang added eight attacks, three blocks and a pair of aces.
READ: Casiey Dongallo shuts down transfer rumors: 'No plans to leave EU'
The Fighting Maroons looked good at the start of each set and even took the opening frame, but UP was unable to maintain its performance until the end.
The Lady Warriors embraced the opportunity with open arms to overcome their first set loss and race to a 12-7 start in the final frame.
Dongallo hit a shot to give UE a seven-point lead, 17-10, before another late strike to keep the Lady Warriors team's momentum going.
Jaboneta unleashed an attack on the line before UE made mistakes to reduce the deficit to just one. But Dongallo stayed on course and carried out a few attacks to ensure his crew's victory.
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UE will look to continue what they started next season with another batch of additions and the return of Jelai Gajero, Dongallo's California Academy teammate, from injury.
