California Academy players during the Shakey’s Girls Invitational. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After dominating Shakey’s Top Girls Volleyball League, California Academy core players are also considering turning professional, amid offers from UAAP and NCAA schools.
Tournament MVP Casiey Dongallo revealed that she along with Best Player Outside Jelaica Gajero, Playmaker Kizzie Madriaga and libero Grace Fernandez have received offers to play together in the Premier Volleyball League but did not reveal which club.
“Iyong mga options po naman is mag-UAAP or mag-pro ball po,” Dongallo said after scoring 17 points in California’s 25-18, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19 win over Naga College Foundation on Saturdays at the San Andres gym in Manila.
“Kasi po, pro iniisip na po kasi namin pag nag-pro ka, can subsidize ka na makukuha tapos iyong subsidize na po na iyon gagamitin po namin sa business is heavily invested coach po kami kay (Obet Vital ) kasi si coach po school master po sya ng. Kapag nag-invest po kami sa kanya, habang nag-aaral kami ng college, maglalaro kami ng pro may income din po kami,” she added.
But Dongallo said they’re not closed on putting their talent on a college team once they’ve received an offer from a university, which she also did not disclose.
“Meron po. Kaming apat po, meron po kaming school na kino-considen na baka puntahan po namin sa UAAP,” said Shakey’s MVP.
“Both po may nagooffer and pro. Tinetake time po namin yung pag decided because it was a life changing decision so kailangan talaga mag-ingat ingat sa decision hindi basta basta,” added Gajero, who led California with 18 points in the Finals.
Gajero says their quartet with Dongallo, Madriaga and Fernandez hopes to stick together in the next chapter of their volleyball careers.
“We are trying to stick together po talaga kasi sayang yung pinaghirapan namin for six years na magkakasama kami tas bigla lang magkakahiwalay. Mas maganda pag sama sama,” said Gajero.
The California Academy made waves when it entered the first season of the Philippine National Volleyball League Championship this past 2021 when the high school team stunned pro team Petro Gazz in the knockout stages.
The Antipolo-based school dominated the second edition of the Champions League last year before sweeping Shakey’s League, winning all five matches.
“Pinag-iisipan pa po namin iyong mga chance po kasi sabi nga po ni coach, hindi lang kami basta basta maggdedecide kundi pag-usapan iyong mga chance talaga,” Dongallo said.
For now, California, sans Gajero due to age, will compete in qualifying, hoping to play in Palarong Pambansa.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your registration has been successful.
Continue reading
Register QUESTIONER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to news, download as early as 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
CARD:
For feedback, complaints, or requests, Contact us.
