The University of the East women’s volleyball program faces another wave of departures just weeks after its young core, led by Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero, left the team.
Three more players—Shamel Fernandez, Yesha Rojo, and Claire Castillo—have exited the Lady Warriors program, transferring to other schools backed by Strong Group Athletics.
The player movements were confirmed to Tiebreaker Times by Dr. Obet Vital, UE’s former interim coach who now serves as an assistant coach and grassroots program head at University of the Philippines.
Fernandez, who played as both a spiker and libero for UE, will reunite with Dongallo, Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Jenalyn Umayam at UP. All five will be eligible to compete in UAAP Season 88.
“Shamel is joining the rest of the CAL grads at UP,” Vital shared.
“They started classes this week. This will serve as their first semester of two semesters for their residency. Upon successfully completing the two semesters, equivalent to one year, all of them will be eligible to compete in Season 88,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Meanwhile, middle blocker Rojo and wing spiker Castillo will be heading to College of Saint Benilde to reunite with their former UE head coach, Jerry Yee.
Yee led UE’s volleyball program in Season 86 but was suspended two weeks into the tournament due to “conduct violative to the purposes of the UAAP—a platform for Member Universities to foster camaraderie and fair play,” which led to Vital stepping in as interim coach.
“They (Rojo and Castillo) are going to CSB. They’re already staying in the dorm there. The players are willing to sit out a season to secure their future in terms of completing their education on a scholarship,” Vital said.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Despite the recent departures, Strong Group Athletics (SGA) president Jacob Lao previously assured that the organization would continue supporting the UE women’s volleyball program until the conclusion of UAAP Season 87, as stated in a release on January 14.
According to Vital, who also serves as the President of the Board of Directors of California Academy in Antipolo, the three players originally intended to stay with UE before circumstances led them to transfer.
“Actually, Fernandez, Rojo, and Castillo planned to stay and were practicing with UE for a while until the athletic director encouraged them to leave due to their relationship with the sponsor—SGA,” claimed Vital.
With five former Lady Warriors now undergoing residency at UP, Vital sees a major advantage for the Fighting Maroons in Season 88.
The quintet will join a roster that already includes Kianne Olango, Pling Baclay, and Yesha Noceja, among others.
“These CAL players competing under one program have a huge advantage. Their strong chemistry comes from playing in high-level tournaments together, as well as their bond on and off the court. Team chemistry is crucial to success, and their shared experience gives them a strong foundation to build on,” Vital said.
While completing their residency, Vital plans to have these players train alongside other standout talents from California Academy—an initiative he is spearheading as UP’s grassroots program head.
