Casiey Dongallo created UAAP history on the opening day of the Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament by recording the highest point total for a rookie debut.
She achieved this feat with a remarkable 27 points, leading University of the East to a four-set victory over Ateneo de Manila University on February 17.
However, Dongallo fell just two points short of breaking the UAAP women’s record for the most points by a rookie in a single game, held by reigning MVP Angel Canino.
Canino set the record last season with 28 points against Adamson University on April 19, 2023.
It did not last a year.
Three games into the season, Dongallo smashed that record too.
The rookie sensation from California Academy in Antipolo delivered an impressive 30 points.
Despite her outstanding performance, though, the Lady Warriors couldn’t secure the win.
They fell to the FEU Lady Tamaraws in five sets, 25-22, 17-25, 18-25, 27-25, 11-15 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
For the 18-year-old Cebuana, she acknowledged that her remarkable performance wouldn’t have been possible without her long-time setter, Kizzie Madriaga.
Dongallo praised Madriaga, stating, “Sa totoo lang po, hindi ko po yun magagawa without her (Madriaga) kasi kung wala po yung tiwala ni Kizzie sa akin na kaya ko pong pumuntos nang ganon, hindi po ako makakagawa ng ganon.”
She expressed gratitude for Madriaga’s trust since Grade 7 and credited her setter and other teammates for the success.
Dongallo’s exceptional performance included a standout display in the fourth frame. There, she singlehandedly secured five straight points when the team was down 22-23.
This pivotal performance led to a 27-25 win and forced a fifth frame, though they eventually ran out of gas.
Madriaga acknowledged Dongallo’s crucial role, stating, “Alam naman na po ng lahat na from high school pa lang po, si Casiey na po talaga yung isang hitter ko na crucial time, sa kanya ako pumupunta.”
However, Dongallo was quick to point out that there is still much work to be done despite the evident improvement in the UE program.
Both Dongallo and Madriaga recognized the need to involve their teammates more for survival in close games.
Dongallo said, “Yun nga po sabi ni Kizzie, marami pa po kaming aayusin sa training lalo na po yung teamwork. Malalaki po yung kalaban namin so kailangan po namin pabilisin at kailangan po namin paganahin po lahat para maging unpredictable naman po kami.”
