OBET Vital’s move to the University of the Philippines has been one of many major moves for a school dead-set on rebuilding its women’s volleyball program.
The Fighting Maroons first signed an intriguing mix of rising stars in UAAP high school MVP Kianne Olango, Yesha Noceja, 2023 Palarong Pambansa MVP Jothea Ramos, and Joanneesse Perez.
READ: Coach Obet Vital lands in rejigged UP after resigning from UE
They’d then secure the services of La Salle champion coach Ramil de Jesus’ longtime deputy Benson Bocboc to call the shots come UAAP Season 87 early next year.
But with Vital entering the fray for UP, will his California Academy (CAL)-turned-University of the East aces follow suit?
Results aside, UE’s three-win run in Season 86 showed signs of promise since Vital and his CAL standouts boosted the Lady Red Warriors’ rebuilding unit.
Leading the way was star spiker Casiey Dongallo, who finished second in the season’s top rookie race behind fellow Visayan spiker Angge Poyos of University of Sto. Tomas.
Should she move over to UP and follow Vital, there lies the possibility that she won’t be alone in making the switch.
Among other CAL-slash-UE players who were once under Vital’s wing are yet-to-debut spiker Jelai Gajero, setter Kizzie Madriaga, and spiker-setter Shamel Fernandez.
Bar Gajero, who was not lined up in Season 86 with an ACL injury, any move elsewhere will warrant a residency year and one less playing year, as per new league rules.
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