THE call to serve country is bringing three of the University of the Philippines' finest beyond the halls of Diliman.
Fighting Maroons stars Casiey Dongallo and Bienne Bansil have joined fellow former UP standouts Tots Carlos and Niña Ytang in the Alas Pilipinas Women pool, giving the national team another infusion of young talent.
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For three athletes who have proudly worn the maroon and green, the opportunity now is to fly the flag in international competition.
Dongallo's inclusion comes despite the injury setback that prematurely ended her first season with UP.
The record-breaking winger made headlines when she transferred from University of the East to Diliman, bringing with her the scoring brilliance that made her one of the most feared attackers in the UAAP.
Although a knee injury cut her campaign short in March, a source told SPIN.ph that the road back is already underway.
“She will be starting practice as soon as the doctor allows,” the source said.
Should she regain full fitness in time, Dongallo would give Alas Pilipinas another potent offensive weapon capable of making an impact immediately on the international stage.
Bansil, meanwhile, arrives in the national team pool through a different path but with the same goal.
The 20-year-old middle blocker first built her winning credentials at National University-Nazareth School, where she played a key role in the Bullpups' UAAP Season 85 girls' volleyball championship run and earned Best Middle Blocker honors in the process.
Now a Fighting Maroon, Bansil continues her volleyball journey with an opportunity to represent something greater than her school.
The source said she will report to Alas Pilipinas training after fulfilling her remaining academic obligations.
Together with Carlos and Ytang, the four UP standouts past and present typify the growing contribution of Diliman to the national volleyball program as more than just standout athletes, they embody a tradition of service long associated with the Iskolar ng Bayan.
Whether all three ultimately make the final roster for the AVC Women's Cup in Candon City from June 6 to 14 remains to be seen.
But by earning spots in the national team pool, Dongallo, Bansil, and Ytang have already taken the next step in their journey: from representing UP to representing the Philippines itself.
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