The University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball world was shaken when the news broke out that some of the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors left the team, and made their transfer to the University of the Philippines, in the aftermath of coach Obet Vital’s resignation and reported transfer to UP, to go along Fighting Maroons head coach Benson Bocboc.
In a Scoreline.ph exclusive interview with these “FOURmer” UE Lady Warriors, Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Shamel Fernandez shared their journey in going from one school to another.
The four women standout shared that the transition was not that smooth as they felt a lot of bashing about their decision to become part of the Fighting Maroons.
“Personally, I don't think the transition from UE to UP was smooth. Because, when the issue came out that I had to move, of course, everyone has their own opinion about the decision. So, yes, we felt bashing, like, why is it like this, why is it like that,” said Dongallo in Filipino.
“But, for me, I didn’t really bother to dwell on it because it won't help me in my future endeavors,” added the star rookie of the Lady Warriors last season.
“To the UP community, I hope you guys will support us on Season 88. Because, even if we're rookies, and with the help of the other rookies and other veterans who will be staying in UP, we will do our best, so you’ll be proud of us. And, we will do everything we can to make the community proud.” -Casiey Dongallo
Moving forward to their new chapter as Fighting Maroons, Gajero shared what they can offer to help the UP program succeed.
“We will always try to help. We’re also trying to do the grassroots program here in UP since the sports director wants to support us in that,” Gajero uttered.
“So it will continue, it won’t stop even if there are players who will graduate already, the program will continue,” added the California Precision Academy standout.
The four athletes also shared with Scoreline the experience they had as they transitioned to a new environment.
Fernandez, who played as both a spiker and libero for UE, discussed with us her experience when she first stepped foot in UP.
She lightly shared, “It's like, so big. It's like we’re lost about four times.”
Then, turning serious Shamel said, “Academically, also under pressure, though we were able to get the unit. But, with the help of our teammates that's here, we were able to stay here safely. And the veterans are there to guide us in our stay here in UP.”
The four players are not yet eligible to play this season but when Season 88 comes, they can now share the floor with the other Fighting Maroons who can now eye the Final Four once again, which they last achieved in Season 78.
Team captain Nica Celis, and middle blocker Niña Ytang have the eligibility to stay one more year, and if they decide to do so, Madriaga will have the chance to set for their seniors.
“We can’t really promise that we’re going to change something. But, maybe it's not directly what we want. I think we just want to do our best,” the setter said.
“Maybe, it's basically like, one thing, the ranking of the UP Women's Volleyball Team. And then, for them, if they want to stay, it's the improvement that we can give, with their help,” Madriaga added if Celis and Ytang decided to have one more run with them.
The four also opened up about being mentally tough as an athlete.
In the case of Dongallo, she said that when it comes to the game, there were times that her focus was somewhere else. She also felt that there are emotions that she needed to give up, especially that she hasn’t fully grasped yet that she’s in a new team now.
She added that she needed to let go of that emotion, so she could give her best whenever she steps on the volleyball court.
As for Gajero, it’s a different process, as she suffered an ACL injury that sidelined her in Season 86, and this time, she needed to sit-out a year because of the school transfer.
But being known as a superwoman who can overcome obstacles, just like the 20-plus points she scored in her return, Gajero bared that it’s her hunger to play again and to give it all motivated her to bounce back strong.
“Because, that's the first time for me to play. Now, I’m very hungry to play. I also think that you should always fight. No matter if you have an injury, you should not be afraid. Actually, you won't lose your fear. But, when volleyball is there, sometimes you lose your fear,” Gajero strongly shared about her passion for volleyball.
The four athletes, while thinking on how to overcome the obstacles that they are facing, also disclosed to us that their transfer to UP was not only because of Coach Obet Vital, who's been their mentor in UE, but there is a deeper reason that only them can understand.
They also said that their decision is personal. And all of the decisions that they made are their choice. They also added that they always talk about the pros and cons of their decision, especially this big.
It was a hard decision for them but they have to move on, and look to what is ahead of them – to help bring back the Fighting Maroons to the Final Four.
At the end of the interview, the 19-year-old Dongallo gave a message to the UP community:
“To the UP community, I hope you guys will support us on Season 88. Because, even if we're rookies, and with the help of the other rookies and other veterans who will be staying in UP, we will do our best, so you’ll be proud of us. And, we will do everything we can to make the community proud.”
