Khy Cepada is ready to take the helm for what remains of the University of the East women’s volleyball team.
The Lady Warriors suffered abrupt and shocking setbacks just a month before the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, as several key players departed.
Leading the exodus was Casiey Dongallo, who made history multiple times in her stellar rookie year in Season 86 before transferring to University of the Philippines.
Joining her were fellow California Academy standouts Kizze Madriaga, Jelai Gajero, Shamel Fernandez, and Jenalyn Umayam, all of whom also moved to UP.
Yesha Rojo and Claire Castillo likewise left UE, opting to continue their collegiate careers with the College of St. Benilde in the NCAA.
“It’s a hard thing kasi I thought ‘yon na yung lineup, kumpleto kaming magste-stay. Ginawa namin siyang positive rin kasi hindi naman kami iniwan ni Coach Obet na walang wala rin,” said Cepada, who is entering her third year with UE.
“We still have the pieces to play and show what we’re capable of.”
Despite the losses, Cepada will lead the Lady Warriors alongside returnees Kayce Balingit, Van Bangayan, Angelica Reyes, and Riza Nogales.
Also staying with the Lady Warriors are Tin Ecalla, Lauritz Ginoo, Keshia Famulagan, Roan Enriquez, Ashley Cañete, Honey Lorono, and Bea Zamudio.
Though the departures left them heartbroken, Cepada sees it as motivation rather than a setback.
“Siyempre it’s sad and heartbreaking na nangyari ‘yon pero hindi naman kami dapat magmukmok lang ‘eh. I still have my teammates and family para magsupport sa akin,” she said.
“I still have my teammates, I still have my support system. Not everything is negative naman na nangyayari. We take the positives lagi. Ginagawa na lang namin motivation kaysa sa distraction.”
Interim coach Allan Mendoza echoed Cepada’s sentiment.
Mendoza, a longtime assistant under Dr. Obet Vital at California Academy since 2018, was thrust into the head coaching role after Vital also moved to UP. Mendoza was also part of Jerry Yee’s staff at UE last season.
“Sa amin, tinignan namin siya as positive. Yung mga nangyari sa amin for the past few months and past few weeks, we make it as motivation para sa amin. Linookout namin siya at a positive way para may chance yung iba para magshine and para ma-activate yung players na meron kami,” said Mendoza.
Mendoza is already looking forward to opening day, where he will face his mentor, Vital, who now serves as an assistant to Benson Bocboc at UP.
“Nakaka-proud kasi dati nasa sideline niya ako, ngayon magkalaban na kami. Sabi naman niya, masaya siya and masaya rin ako na siya una kong makakalaban sa debut ko sa UAAP.”
UE will open its season against UP on Saturday at 1:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, in what promises to be an emotional and highly anticipated showdown.
