RECRUITING COUP: Ex-Lady Warriors bolt for Fighting Maroons

The future of University of the Philippines (UP) women’s volleyball program looks bright following a bold move of recruiting rising stars to bolster its pool of talents for the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

After much speculation, the Fighting Maroons have brought to light the much-talked-about transfer of high-scoring hitter Casiey Dongallo and a slew of starters from University of the East to Diliman.

UP through the university’s Office for Athletics and Sports Development announced on Wednesday that Dongallo along with setter Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero and Jenalyn Umayam have joined the Fighting Maroons and will be eligible to play after serving a one-year residency in the coming season that starts next month.

They will suit up next year in Season 88 and will have one playing year slashed in their playing eligibility as per league rules on transferees.

Aside from the blue-chip players, UP has also doubled up in its offseason acquisitions for its program by signing former Lady Warriors coach Dr. Obet Vital.

Vital, the architect of the successful high school volleyball program of California Academy in Antipolo, is tapped to oversee the newly-formalized Fighting Maroons training pool.

He will also concurrently serve as deputy of head coach Benson Bocboc.

Vital was instrumental in Dongallo’s rise from a promising high school player from Cebu to a UAAP record holder for single-season scoring.

UP hopes to raise the bar for its volleyball program just like it has for its men’s basketball team, which won its second championship in four seasons last December.

“It’s about time to strengthen our volleyball teams because they have great potential to be another source of unity for the UP community,” UP OASD director Bo Perasol said.

“We welcome the entry of Doc Obet and his players not only to beef up our women’s volleyball team, but to also show that we’re turning serious about competing in volleyball.”

UP’s prospects are better for the coming Season 87 unveiling next month but Fighting Maroons faithful are even more excited for next year when Dongallo and company officially wear their maroon jerseys.

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.

Madriaga, on the other hand, is a solid playmaker and efficient in making those around her look good by playing through their strengths as well as providing leadership inside the court.

Umayam plays her role well at the wings while Gajero has regained her dangerous form after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined her in her supposed rookie year with UE last season.

The four players will reinforce a UP roster that will still feature Season 86 Second Best Middle Blocker Nina Ytang and former UAAP juniors Most Valuable Player Kianne Olango.

In the meantime, the women’s volleyball team — still supported by Strong Group Athletics and businessman Frank Lao — will go all-out to improve on a one-win showing last season and fight for the right to enter its first Final Four since 2016.

Ytang and Olango will stand at the forefront alongside veterans Nica Celis and Irah Jaboneta, as well as youngsters Yesha Noceja and Bienne Bansil and one-and-done dynamo Kassy Doering under the guidance of first-year tactician Bocboc and new assistants Vital and former national team setter Alohi Robbins-Hardy.

“Their arrival is a sign that Mr. Frank Lao, SGA, and OASD are really sincere in developing the UP volleyball program. Their addition to our roster, together with our recruits this year, will definitely make our team a contender in the following years,” UP volleyball program director Oliver Almadro said.

The last time the Fighting Maroons barged into the Final Four was in Season 78 led by Tots Carlos, Issa Molde, Nicole Tiamzon, Kathy Bersola and Pia Gaiser under head coach Jerry Yee.