For Jelai Gajero, the agony of a torn ACL is not just a memory, but a wound she knows all too well.
So when her longtime teammate Casiey Dongallo suffered a devastating ACL and meniscus injury while playing for the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Gajero didn’t need words to grasp the magnitude of it.
She had walked that painful road herself — and she knows exactly how lonely and grueling the journey can be.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanya na kaya niya rin ‘yon. Kung kaya ko maka-recover, kaya rin niya maka-recover at makabalik sa form niya from such an injury,” the 21-year-old outside spiker told Tiebreaker Times after a five-set loss to defending champion National University on Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Their volleyball story stretches back years, from their high school days at California Academy, a brief stint with the University of the East, to now wearing the Fighting Maroons’ colors.
And now, just as before, their journey together faces another test: the challenge of overcoming serious injury.
Back in UAAP Season 86, Gajero herself endured the heartbreak of a torn left ACL while representing UE in the 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge. The injury cut short what would be her only campaign with the Lady Warriors.
Now, she has taken on a new role — one defined by empathy and unwavering support for Dongallo.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sa akin lang, sipag lang talaga sa rehab at mag-double time doon. ‘Yon lang yung ginawa ko dati ‘eh at nagbunga naman,” the 5-foot-5 outside spiker shared.
Looking forward, Gajero knows the path ahead won’t be easy.
The Fighting Maroons are trying to snap a four-game skid, with six crucial games remaining in the second round that could determine their Final Four fate.
But she also knows that she cannot shoulder the burden alone. She is counting on sophomore spikers Kianne Olango and Yesha Noceja, rookie hitter Fina Ali, and graduating spiker Joan Monares to step up and fill the void left by Dongallo’s absence.
“Malaking kawalan talaga si Casiey, so tinatry talaga namin yung best namin. Sabi nga ni Coach Fabio (Menta), if we score 15 points regularly, we have to score more than that para ma-cover yung points [na prinoproduce] ni Casiey,” Gajero said.
“Sa amin, we had moments earlier. Nagkulang lang yung mental endurance namin. Nagkakaroon kami ng moment, pero hindi namin nama-maintain ‘yon. Siguro sa next game, mas i-improve na lang namin kasi kung kaya naman i-perform sa NU, dapat sa ibang teams kaya rin namin.”
#WATCH: KUNG NAKA-RECOVER AKO, KAYA RIN NIYA ‘YUN ✊
Having experienced an ACL injury before, Jelai Gajero will be by Casiey Dongallo’s side throughout her recovery 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/OaJxOHUgAT
📹@ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/INVr3vBbYx
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 18, 2026
