Casiey Dongallo, one of the most sought-after prospects last year, went to University of the East with one goal on her mind – to try and help change the Lady Warriors’ culture.
And it seems like she did just that in her very first game wearing the red and white.
Dongallo erupted for 27 points – the most for a rookie debut in UAAP women’s volleyball history.
And she helped UE put an end to a 14-year-old losing skid against Ateneo de Manila University, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.
“Masaya po kasi yun nga po, yung sabi ni Doc (Obet Vidal) na yung reason po kung bakit kami pumunta sa UE is we want to bring UE kung nasa’n sila before. Ang saya po kasi unti-unti na namin silang napu-prove. Yun kasi talaga yung purpose namin,” said Dongallo, as UE is in the midst of a 31-year title drought in the sport.
“We will just do our best throughout this season and as I said nga po before, our goal for this season is we just want na angatan kung nasan man yung UE before,” she added.
The 18-year-old outside hitter was part of the famed California Precision Sports high school team that made waves during the 2021 PNVF Champions League.
There, they took down a Petro Gazz side led by Ces Molina and Gretchel Soltones in five sets.
Dongallo, along with her teammates Jelaica Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Shamel Fernandez, eventually committed to the Lady Warriors two years later.
“First of all po, I’m just thankful for my teammates kasi I cannot have naman 27 points without them eh. So I’m just happy na parang nung time na kinakabahan ako, nandun sila, hindi nila ako pinabayaan na bumaba yung laro ko,” said Dongallo.
The 5-foot-6 Cebuana spiker – who was a point away from tying Angel Canino’s 28-point rookie record – admitted that she was very nervous ahead of her UAAP debut.
Dongallo, though, managed to overcome it through the help of her long-time teammates Madriaga and Shamel, who pulled her to the side and talked her through her first-game jitters – which resulted in her historic UAAP debut.
“Babalik talaga ako sa na-overcome ko yung pressure kanina is through my teammates talaga kasi nili-lift up talaga nila ako. Katulad nga yung sinabi ko, sila Shamel (Fernandez) and Kizzie (Madriaga), kinakausap nila ako sa gilid na kailangan ko lang talaga laruin yung laro ko,” she said.
“Kailangan ko ipakita sa mga taong naniniwala sakin na ganun yung laro ko para hindi ko sila madismaya.”
