UP Fighting Maroons star Casiey Dongallo will miss the remainder of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament after tearing the ACL and meniscus in her left knee.
Dongallo sustained the injury during the first set of UP’s straight-sets loss to the FEU Lady Tamaraws, 13-25, 21-25, 16-25, on Sunday, March 8.
Dongallo Unbowed by Injury, But UP’s Chances Take Big Hit
The Fighting Maroons were trailing 10-24 when Dongallo attacked and landed awkwardly on her left foot. She was immediately brought to the dugout for medical attention but later returned to the bench to watch the rest of the match from the sidelines.
“She’s in a great mood. I’m surprised she never felt the desperation. She came to the next game, she comes to our training, still smiling,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Fabio Menta. “Now, we want to be optimistic. By late December or January next year, she’ll be training again. Hopefully.”
Without Dongallo, UP dropped its next assignment to the UST Golden Tigresses, 25-16, 13-25, 19-25, 20-25. The Fighting Maroons will now look to Jelai Gajero, Joan Monares, and Irah Jaboneta to help fill the void left by their injured star.
“Casiey’s a big loss, but the girls understand they need to do more now to compensate. The girls are okay. They’re working, and hopefully we find the right adjustments. We are preparing hard to do our best,” Menta added.
The Fighting Maroons will close out the first round of eliminations against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Sunday, March 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
