UP’s Dongallo out for reason of Season 88 with knee injury

MANILA, Philippines — Big blow for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Casiey Dongallo will be out for the rest of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament after suffering ACL and meniscus tears in her left knee, the team announced.

The 20-year-old will be sidelined for the rest of the year for surgery then recovery. She will still be eligible for one more year when she returns in Season 89.

"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 head coach Fabio Menta.

"Now, we want to be optimistic. By late December or January next year, she'll be training again. Hopefully."

Dongallo suffered the injury in the first set of UP’s match against Far Eastern University last Sunday.

She had a bad landing and had to be helped to the dugout.

Now, it will be up to Jelai Gajero, Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta to pick up the slack.

"Casiey's a big loss, but the girls understand they need to do more now to compensate," he said.

"The girls are ok. They're working and hopefully, we find the right adjustments. We are preparing hard to do our best."

UP is aiming to end a decade-long playoff drought. The Fighting Maroons are currently holding a 3-3 win-loss record.

They squad will finish off the first round of the season against Adamson on Sunday.

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