The University of the Philippines (UP) Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) remains focused on taking major leaps forward as it advances to the next round of the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Pre-Season Unity Cup with heads held high after topping Pool C.
Besting three other teams in the same pool: the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Mapua University (MU) and Colegio de San Juan de Letran (CSJL), the Fighting Maroons now boast a perfect 3-0 record.
The Maroon volleybelles will now be competing against the top teams coming from other pools as they join Pool E, along with Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University and SSL 2024 champions National University (NU).
Better Together
After a promising run in the UAAP Season 87, the WVT has entered the pre-season games with a fiercer goal as its reinforcements finally suited up for the maroon jerseys after completing their one-year residency in State U.
READ: https://www.tinigngplaridel.net/uaaps87-wvt-journey/
Following their longtime mentor Coach Obet Vital’s shift from Recto to Diliman in 2024, University of the East star player Casiey Dongallo, opposite spiker Jelai Gajero, setter Kizzie Madriaga and spiker Jenalyn Umayam committed to the Fighting Maroons earlier this year.
These new additions are expected to fill the void left by former team captain Nica Celis, now playing for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the pro scene, and middle blocker Kassy Doering, who concluded her one-and-done stint for UP.
Seniors Niña Ytang, Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares, meanwhile, have decided to exhaust their last playing year in the UAAP.
Prior to the Pre-Season Unity Cup, the Fighting Maroons participated in the National Invitationals of the same league, finishing second place in the Davao leg behind back-to-back UAAP champions NU Lady Bulldogs.
In their initial matches with the new lineup, the fresh talents quickly proved they are worthy of a spot on the roster.
Dongallo topscored the Diliman-based squad with 15 points against the Davao Selection, while Gajero scored 11 markers during their match against the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.
Cramming Maroons
It’s not UP WVT without “UPsets” and clutch wins.
Riding the momentum of significant victories over high-ranking UAAP teams, the maroon volleybelles carried that energy into the Pre-Season Unity Cup, pulling off a gritty five-set victory against Season 87 bronze medalists UST Growling Tigresses on Sept. 21.
The Diliman-based squad started strong in the opening set, 25-22, capitalizing on the Growling Tigresses’ service faults and attack errors, including a service error by setter Cassie Carballo in the first sequence that contributed to UST’s early struggles.
The succeeding sets were a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging leads until the deciding fifth set.
On the verge of losing the match in the decider set, the Maroon shirts mounted an 8-0 run to win the game in a clutch at 15-13.
This breaks State U’s seven-game losing streak against the yellow shirts in the UAAP, which dates back to Season 84.
Dongallo once again led the scoring for UP with 20 points, coming off 18 attacks, a block and an ace. Ytang added 15 markers, while Kianne Olango, Bienne Bansil and Gajero chipped in nine points each.
A week later, Sept. 28, the Maroons pulled off another close five-set victory against the Mapua Cardinals at the same venue.
UP WVT took the early advantage, securing the first two sets, but Mapua quickly caught up to push the match to a decider as the Fighting Maroons committed several errors.
The Diliman-based squad ultimately took control in the final set, as Bansil’s crucial block touches strengthened UP’s frontline defense to make up for the absence of senior middle blocker Ytang on the court.
Team captain Jaboneta paced the Diliman-based squad, converting 12 points from 10 attacks, a block and an ace.
Looking to conclude the first round with a bang, the Maroon shirts pulled off a sweeping victory against the Judiel Nitura-led Letran Lady Knights on Friday.
Although UP took the lead early by winning the first set, Letran managed to stay within striking distance due to the Maroon Shirts’ 11 total errors, seven of which were from serves, in the opening set alone.
Despite multiple errors at the service line, the Diliman-based squad eventually secured the win through its offense and solid defense at the net, as middles Ytang and Bansil converted points from both attacks and blocks.
Sophomore outside hitter Yesha Noceja played a crucial role in clinching the straight-set win, contributing seven points, all from attacks.
With this victory, the Maroon shirts claimed the top spot in Pool C with seven points.
With the reinforcements and seasoned players finally together on the floor, the squad will continue to build on its team chemistry as the offseason games progress.
UP WVT sets its sights on a quarterfinals berth as it faces the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, Oct. 12, at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
SET SCORES:
September 21: UP def UST (3-2) – 25-22, 18-25, 25-18, 18-25, 15-13
September 28: UP def MU (3-2) – 25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 15-13
October 10: UP def CSJL (3-0) – 25-22, 25-18, 25-19
