THE recent exodus in the University of the East women’s volleyball team was reportedly prompted by top backer Strong Group Athletics’ (SGA) pulling out its support of the program.
SPIN.ph sources bared 'irreconcilable differences' between SGA and the UE school administration over financial matters eventually led to the parting of ways.
READ: Casiey Dongallo no longer with UE Lady Warriors, say sources
The change forced a hesitant Casiey Dongallo, along with fellow California Academy (CAL) aces Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga and Shamel Fernandez, to leave the Lady Red Warriors and take their talents to SGA-backed University of the Philippines.
Hence, the former UE quartet’s transfer to UP wasn’t just a result of their longtime CAL mentor Doc Obet Vital moving from UE to the Fighting Maroons’ camp.
Even amid their oncoming residency year in UP, Dongallo & Co. will be provided with the same support they used to receive last season when SGA still backed the UE women’s volleyball program, a source added.
What now for UE?
The Lady Red Warriors are now left to scramble for a new leader — a similar conundrum with the men’s basketball team following the non-renewal of Jack Santiago’s UE head coaching contract.
In the meantime, another source told SPIN.ph that the team will turn to one of Vital’s former deputies to lead the UE women’s volleyball team in an interim capacity for UAAP Season 87 next month.
When Vital took over as interim coach in light of Jerry Yee’s three-month midseason suspension last year, his coaching staff was comprised of Stephanie Cholico, Allan Mendoza, Ludio Dulce, Gregory Ericta, John Paul Martires and the injured Gajero.
A potential Yee return to UE, however, has yet to be ruled out.
With roughly a month left before the collegiate volleyball season begins, UE will have to make do of a leader not as prominent but nonetheless familiar enough to try and keep their embattled program afloat.
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