Casiey Dongallo out for remainder of UAAP Season 88

c/o UAAP

The University of the Philippines announced on Saturday that Casiey Dongallo will be sidelined for the remainder of the UAAP Season 88, as it was confirmed that she incurred ACL and meniscus tears on her left knee.

Dongallo suffered the injury during the first set of the Fighting Maroons' match against Far Eastern University last week, incurring it on a bad landing following her fourth point and necessitating assistance off the court and into the team dugout.

She had been on a recent roll before this interruption, managing a twenty-point performance against defending champions National University. 

It is expected that she will be ready in time for next season, which would turn out to be her final year after her transfer from the University of the East.

Head coach Fabio Menta says that the Cebuana's state of mind remains okay in spite of this development. He shares, "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."

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

With Dongallo now sidelined, UP will regroup behind fellow UE transfer Jelai Gajero, as well as through the leadership of Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta.

Menta notes that the team needs to move forward, adds, "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 scheduled to conclude their first round campaign against Adamson on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, as they seek to boost their record back up above .500 in their effort to end a decade-long postseason drought.