For years, National University stood as the puzzle that could not be solved in the shared volleyball journey of Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero.
From their high school days at California Academy to a brief stint at University of the East, NU always had the number of their teams.
Even in UAAP Season 86, when Dongallo put together a stellar rookie campaign, NU proved too poised and relentless against a UE side that missed Gajero due to a season-ending injury.
That narrative, however, was rewritten in a different color.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Now donning maroon for the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Dongallo and Gajero found themselves stuck in a familiar situation — down two sets against the then-unbeaten NU.
This time, though, the story finally shifted in their favor.
Dongallo uncorked a barrage of attacks and injected life into the Fighting Maroons in the third and fourth sets. Then, when the match was pushed to a winner-take-all fifth frame, Gajero showcased her poise in the clutch.
She delivered timely hits that slammed the door on the Lady Bulldogs and completed a thrilling 16-25, 16-25, 25-22, 31-29, 18-16 reverse sweep on Saturday afternoon at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
It was more than just a bounce-back win to return to the win column in the eight-team field — it was closure.
“Very happy kasi since high school ako, ito yung first time na natalo namin yung NU. When nasa UE kami, kahit ata makakuha ng isang set, hindi namin nagawa. Sobrang saya ko na nanalo kami with the help of the system ni [Coach] Fabio and yung mga seniors namin,” said Gajero, who finished with 19 points built on 15 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, on top of 11 excellent receptions and three excellent digs.
“Parang speechless ako. Hindi ko ma-ano yung emotions ko ngayon kasi first time namin ito manalo against a big team. I’m just so happy na meron kaming seniors na nagga-guide sa amin sa loob ng court and also sa system ni Fabio,” Dongallo added after tallying 20 points on 18 attacks and two blocks, alongside four excellent digs and four excellent receptions.
“Parang we just have to be focused sa loob ng court, and tumulong kami kung ano kaya namin matulong para manalo.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The morale-boosting victory propelled UP to a share of second place with NU, with identical 3-1 records. Still, both Dongallo and Gajero acknowledged that there remains vast room for improvement, especially as they hope to give seniors Nina Ytang, Irah Jaboneta, and Joan Monares a fitting send-off.
Dongallo, the 20-year-old outside hitter, admitted she is nearing her UAAP Season 86 form but emphasized the need to double her effort — matching the work ethic her seniors and teammates pour into training each day.
“For me, I think marami pa rin ako kailangan i-work on. Sa laro naman ngayon, parang kumpiyansa na talaga sa sarili na parang gabay din nila. Alam mo ‘yon? Kasi syempre nakikita mo yung mga teammates mo and seniors mo na nagpu-push talaga, and nandoon yung mindset ko na I have to contribute to the team,” Dongallo explained.
Gajero, meanwhile, echoed her longtime teammate’s sentiment, stressing the importance of working day in and day out to rediscover her old form — the version of herself before tearing her ACL in 2023 — as they aim to strengthen the Fighting Maroons’ title bid.
“Sa amin, same din kay Casiey na ang dami kailangang i-work on. Kita naman yung passing namin talaga, medyo nag-struggle pa,” said Gajero, who is making her UAAP debut after a long two-year wait.
“Every day, tinatrabaho namin siya. Partly din doon is yung tapang and isip na kahit mawala sa form, basta maiangat namin ito, ‘yon yung winowork on namin.”
#WATCH: SPEECHLESS ✊
Casiey Dongallo and Jel Gajero, after losing to the Lady Bulldogs so many times in the past, were instrumental in UP’s massive upset of NU 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/VG4yZl3pnX
📹 Ernest Tuazon/Tiebreaker Times #UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/2abYvqtn2X
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 28, 2026
