Strong Group-UE ties remain strong

Strong Group Athletics remains committed to backing University of the East’s (UE) women’s volleyball program despite the shocking exodus of key players just a month before the start of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87’s centerpiece second semester event.

Top hitter Cassiey Dongallo, setter Kizzie Madriaga and Jelai Gajero left the Lady Warriors camp and reportedly transferred to University of the Philippines (UP) although the Fighting Maroons have yet to confirm the trio’s transfer.

Despite the crippling exits, SGA, which is also bankrolling UP’s women’s squad, has expressed that it will honor its commitment to UE.

SGA president Jacob Lao cleared that they are dedicated to fulfill their pledge to the university until the end of the current volleyball season.

“We are committed to finishing our promise to UE, particularly with their women’s volleyball program,” Lao stated as he reaffirmed that they will honor the last of the two-year partnership with the Lady Warriors that will expire after the season.

Dongallo and fellow California Academy alum Madriaga had a sensational debut season for UE last year.

Madriaga’s playmaking anchored the Lady Warriors’ improvement as they finished Season 86 with a 3-11 win-loss record despite the controversial suspension of former head coach Jerry Yee due to issues regarding his transfer from Adamson University.

Dongallo proved to be an offensive gem after posting the most points scored by a rookie in a season with 291 although she lost to University of Santo Tomas’ Angge Poyos for the Rookie of the Year honors.

Gajero, on the other hand, was supposed to play her first season with UE after skipping last year’s competition after suffering a knee injury during the pre-season.

The troika led the Lady Warriors during the offseason with good results in the Shakey’s Super League and the V-League Collegiate Challenge last year under head coach Dr. Obet Vital.

Vital, however, stepped down from his post last December and reportedly jumped ship to UP head coach Benson Bocboc’s coaching staff.

Lao also reiterated the same commitment to the UE juniors’ basketball program until the conclusion of UAAP Season 88, the final year of their three-year commitment.