Reyes Libero Ange Reyes is being carried by her teammates after UE won its final UAAP women’s volleyball match last season. Reyes will be one of the key Lady Warriors holdovers this year. UAAP photo

UE gets timely help from SGA

January 16, 2025 Theodore P. Jurado 177 views

UNIVERSITY of the East, in the crossroads after losing three of its reliables from last season’s promising UAAP campaign, has received assurance from Strong Group Athletics regarding its commitment to the Re
cto-based school’s women’s volleyball program.

In a statement Monday night, SGA emphasized that its partnership with UE will continue until the conclusion of the Season 87 tournament, which begins next month.

Prior to last season, SGA has signed a two-year commitment to the program, paving the way for the entry of highly-regarded California Academy standouts Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gejero and Kizzie Madriaga.

But after interim coach Obet Vital’s departure just a month ago, the Lady Warriors have lost Dongallo, Gejero, and Madriaga with the new season just around the corner. Online reports said the prized trio have already transferred to University of the Philippines.

SGA president Jacob Lao said that the group remains dedicated to fulfilling its 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 said.

The Lady Warriors are now training with key holdovers Khy Cepada, Kacey Balingit, Riza Nogales and libero Ange Reyes, as well as transferee setter Tin Ecalla, returning spiker Van Bangayan and foreign student-athlete Vicky Mpata.

Last season, UE finished with a 3-11 record with Dongallo being the No. 1 scorer in the eliminations with 291 points, barely edging University of Santo Tomas’ Angge Poyos by a point. The Lady Warriors placed third in last year’s V-League Collegiate Conference.

Meanwhile, Adamson has left for Taipei yesterday for a one-week training camp.

The Lady Falcons, who are tied with the Lady Warriors in sixth and seventh place last season at 3-11, will have a young core behind former high school standouts Shai Nitura, Fhei Sagaysay and MG Del Moral and sophomore Barbie Jamili.

Far Eastern University’s women’s teams and Ateneo’s women’s and men’s volleyball squads have just concluded their week-long training camps in Thailand and Japan, respectively.

Currently in separate Japan training camps are the protagonists in the last two men’s volleyball championship series, National University and UST.

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