HEAD COACH: Allan Mendoza (interim)
LAST SEASON: 3-11 (6th place)
HOLDOVERS: Khy Cepada, Kayce Balingit, Riza Nogales, Angelica Reyes, Ash Cañete
SUBTRACTIONS: Casiey Dongallo, Kizzie Madriaga, Jelai Gajero, Shamel Fernandez, Yesha Rojo, Claire Castillo, Jenalyn Umayam, Dara Nieva, Dea Villamor, Jenina Zeta
ADDITIONS: Tin Ecalla, Roan Enriquez, Keisha Famulagan, Lauritz Ginoo, Bea Zamudio
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UNIVERSITY of the East once had a future-proof team on hand before realizing its worst nightmare over the offseason.
The Lady Warriors lost at least seven of their key weapons — none bigger than ace spiker Casiey Dongallo who had for herself a historic debut in Season 86 after breaking the UAAP rookie scoring record with 291 points.
Losing a 19-year-old superstar, her California Academy (CAL)-turned-UE teammates, and longtime mentor Obet Vital all at once was a tough pill to swallow, without a doubt.
While Dongallo & Co. carried a lot of promise in just their first taste of UAAP action last year, the numbers didn’t necessarily translate to the win column.
From a one-win season the year before, the red-and-white did triple its win total once Vital stepped in as interim head coach, but in total, their campaign was a roller-coaster ride.
Having an interim shot-caller only happened due to an abrupt midseason suspension of then-head coach Jerry Yee, causing unwanted turbulence to the rookie-laden Lady Warriors who were just starting to find their groove in the seniors’ ranks.
They had moments of promise, such as forcing then-defending champions La Salle to a five-setter in the elimination round, but it still wasn’t enough to grab a Final Four spot as they finished sixth.
It’s now been 18 years since UE last reached the women’s volleyball Final Four, back in Season 69 when the team was still called the Amazons.
U(and)E against the world
With almost all of its core having gone away, the future of a team that’s long been tagged a cellar-dweller in women’s volleyball now rests on the hands of those who chose to stay put.
Expect the quartet of Khy Cepada, Kayce Balingit, Riza Nogales, and Angelica Reyes to take over for the Lady Warriors.
Steering the red-and-white ship in an interim capacity is Allan Mendoza, Vital’s former deputy last season and also during their time at CAL.
Mendoza’s familiarity with the squad - at least what remains of it - is what he and the rest of Recto will bank on, as they move on and charge forward to a rebuilding year in Season 87.
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