UNIVERSITY of the East, determined to shed its also-ran image in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament, has received the much-awaited commitments from five of the blue-chip high school prospects.

Casiey Dongallo, Jelaica Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, and Grace Fernandez from California Academy, along with Maryhill College standout Claire Castillo, will join the Lady Warriors.

All five student-athletes will be eligible to play starting Season 86 set to open early next year.

The quintet made their commitments to Strong Group Athletics founder Frank Lao and new UE coach Jerry Yee on Tuesday at Gloria Maris Restaurant Greenhills in San Juan.

“Having the Cali Babies commit to our team is such a crucial part of our rebuilding process. We all know what they can bring to the table, and as a team, we are very excited to have them be part of our journey,” Lady Warriors team manager Jared Lao said.

UE has also tapped California Academy head coach Obet Vital to be one of the assistants of Yee.

The Lady Warriors, who last reached the Final Four in the 2006-07 season and encountered several winless years in the past, are coming off a 1-13 campaign in Season 85.

Over the past three years, the Antipolo-based school has made a name for itself as one of the country’s top high school volleyball programs.

Under the guidance of Yee and later on, Vital, the Cal Babies were able to hold their own against Premier Volleyball League teams in the 2021 PNVF Champions League for Women, finishing in fifth place.

It earned Dongallo and Gajero invites to join the pool of the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team.

California Academy then dominated the 2023 PNVF Under-18 Girls’ Tournament and the Shakey’s Girls Invitational Volleyball League.

During the PNVF U18 tournament, Madriaga was named the Best Setter, while Dongallo was the MVP of the Shakey’s tournament. Gajero was recognized as the Best Outside Spiker, Fernandez as the Best Libero, and Madriaga remained as the Best Setter.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado