University of the East had something special in Season 86 with the rise of super rookie Casiey Dongallo — but it all came crashing down.
Dongallo transferred to the University of the Philippines the following season, becoming just one part of what turned into a mass exodus of players from the Lady Warriors.
Alongside the explosive scorer, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Jenalyn Umayam, and Shamel Fernandez also moved to UP. Meanwhile, Yesha Rojo and Claire Castillo transferred to the College of Saint Benilde.
But all of that is now in the past for UE holdover Angelica Reyes. She’s simply glad that the Lady Warriors and their former teammates are thriving in their respective paths.
Reyes shared this after UP’s 25-12, 25-9, 21-25, 25-19 win over UE in the opening match of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Ako po personally, sobrang saya ko po talaga kasi syempre, kahit naman sa training before nung nasa UE pa po sila, nakakalaban din po namin sila,” said the UE senior libero after the game.
“Super happy dahil nakita ko yung improvement nila as player talaga. Hindi lang physically pero also mentally talaga, kung paano nila ilaban yung laro.”
Reyes tallied eight excellent receptions and seven excellent digs in the defeat. Dongallo also shone for the Fighting Maroons with 13 points, despite leaving midway through the third set due to back pain that forced her to sit out the remainder of the match.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
UP head coach Fabio Menta later assured that it was only a precaution and that Dongallo would be ready for their next game.
Beyond scoring, Reyes also praised her former teammates for their growth in leadership.
“Yung growth po talaga is yung leadership namin. Kahit na ahead kami kala Casiey, nakita ko rin yung leadership nila sa loob. Nandoon pa rin yung communication nila. Hindi man sila yung senior doon, nakita ko sa kalaban na binubuhat din po nila and isa rin po siya sa nagbubuhat sa first six,” shared Reyes.
“Same din po namin. Yun din po yung growth namin, yung leadership namin sa UE naman po.”
Reyes — along with Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, Kiesha Famulagan, and Ashley Cañete — are the only remaining players from that Season 86 squad.
Despite the loss, Reyes saw promise in her team, confident that victories are within reach after ending last season winless.
“Nakakalungkot din kasi alam naman namin na kayang-kaya naman po naming lumaban and we fell short talaga. First-game jitters nga po, naniniwala po kami doon,” said the fourth-year defensive specialist.
“Aangatan pa po namin sa mga susunod na laro namin. Hindi man po namin nabigay yung best namin kasi nandoon na yung kaba, nandoon na yung moment ulit na nandito na yung UAAP. We need to be stronger every game, we need to prepare pa. Of course may mga skills kami na kailangan pang i-prepare talaga.”
#WATCH: SOBRANG SAYA 🛡️
Angge Reyes shares that she is proud of her former UE teammates who are now playing with UP 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/eY6Y3UV4yd
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/yXX7uciGu7
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 14, 2026
