Despite numerous offers from top collegiate squads, California Academy stars led by sought-after high school prospects Casiey Dongallo and Jelaica Gajero are mulling moving up to the professional ranks after graduation.
The promising talents bared that they are considering the unprecedented move to the Premier Volleyball League as one of their options aside from entertaining interested schools from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“Our options are either playing in the UAAP or heading to pro ball,” Dongallo said, following the Antipolo-based squad’s flawless conquest of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League last Saturday.
The tournament Most Valuable Player along with fellow seniors Gajero, Best Setter winner Kizzie Madriaga and libero Grace Fernandez defeated Naga College Foundation, 25-18, 18-25, 25-14, 25-19 in the final at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
GOING PRO?#ShakeysGVIL MVP Casie Dongallo bares that she and California Academy teammates Kizzie Madriaga, Jelaica Gajero and Grace Fernandez are open to turning pro right after their high school stint.
@tribunephl @TribuneSportsPh pic.twitter.com/zmPzMLO5ow— Mark Escarlote (@fromtheriles) June 3, 2023
The quartet shared that they have received offers to play in the PVL but declined to mention which clubs.
Dongallo said that turning pro would help them financially aside from developing their skills further playing against seasoned veterans. At the same time, they could continue with their studies as pros.
“If we go pro we’ll receive an allowance (salary) and the allowance that we will receive we’ll use for business. We want to invest with coach (Obet Vital) who is the owner of the school,” she said.
“We plan to invest (in the school) while going through college, playing pro and earning income.”
But playing collegiate volleyball remains a strong option.
“All four of us are also considering joining a certain UAAP school,” Dongallo said without elaborating.
Gajero, on the other hand, would like to weigh down all possible options before deciding.
“We have offers to play in the collegiate leagues and in the pros. But we want to take out time to decide because it’s a life-changing decision. So we have to think over and not just jump into a decision,” the Best Outside Spiker said.
Whatever path they choose, Gajero said they plan to stick together.
“We’re trying to stick together,” she added. “I think it would be a waste of us playing and building chemistry for six years if we parted ways. It’s better if we remain intact.”
Playing pro ball is nothing new to California Academy.
In fact, the high school squad even pulled off a huge upset over star-studded Petro Gazz, putting the Angels to shame in the elimination round of the 2021 Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League Cup.
The squad captured the crown in the second edition of the Champions League last year.
