UE explains women’s volleyball clean-house measures amid player expulsions

The University of the East says it holds annual tryouts to assess a roster’s winning capability following the controversial expulsion of all but four players in its women’s volleyball roster

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the East (UE) responded to its massive, controversial shakeup of the Lady Warriors women’s volleyball squad, saying the move was done as a clean-slate measure to make way for a new coaching staff, per a lengthy statement on Saturday, June 14.

Although the coaches have not been named yet, UE said its Physical Education (PE) Department led the way in choosing, as approved by university president Zosimo Battad.

“In deference to the new coaching staff — so they could implement their vision, training philosophy, and strategic plans — the department organized an open tryout to evaluate all potential players,” the statement read.

In response to multiple reports that the team gutted its roster following the exit of former sponsor Strong Group Athletics, the school said it told its UAAP rostered players to display their skills to be retained.

According to the school, it conducts tryouts at the end of the UAAP season, therefore giving old players due process alongside the opportunity for new ones to be able to join the team.

This, however, is the first time a UE team lost almost an entire varsity roster before a new season begins, and the players expelled from the team just so happened to be the ones who “stood up and insisted on following the system” of the former coaching staff, led by Dr. Obet Vital.

It was previously reported that only four players were retained following the tryout last June 9, namely Van Bangayan, Khy Cepada, Angelica Reyes, and Bea Zamudio.

“Their previous membership in the team did not automatically guarantee automatic retention, nor did past performance result in automatic exclusion,” the statement continued.

“Each participant was evaluated solely on their skills, potential, and compatibility with the system being implemented by the coaching staff and/or new coaching staff.”

Moreover, UE emphasized that an athlete scholarship is a privilege extended to student-athletes who had satisfying performances in representing the school.

“[W]e remain fully committed to supporting our student-athletes who are truly performing. The outcome of the tryout to those affected who lost their spot and lost their privileges will be granted to those who qualified because of limited athletic service grant slots specific for each team/event.”

According to sources, the women’s volleyball team is allotted around 15-20 scholarship slots.

When asked for comment if the rostered UAAP Season 87 players which will not make the Season 88 list get to see their scholarships retained, the PE department declined to respond.

“UE remains firmly committed to supporting its student-athletes and to building a competitive, values-driven sports program. Our ultimate goal is to empower our athletes to grow not only in their sport but also as student leaders, and to bring pride and honor to the University through excellence in the UAAP.”

The Lady Warriors have not made the Final Four in almost two decades, with the team last making the semifinals in Season 69 in 2007.

It placed sixth in Season 86 in 2023, but saw the development derailed when the team lost its interim coach Vital to UP, along with high-scoring winger Casiey Dongallo, Kizzie Madriaga, Shamel Fernandez, Jelai Gajero.

UE, led by Riza Nogales, Kaycee Balingit and Cepada, went winless in Season 87, going 0-14 for the first time since Season 77 in 2015. – Rappler.com