The University of the Philippines (UP) Men’s Volleyball Team (MVT) is no stranger to nail-biting showdowns.
Near the conclusion of its Season 87 stint, the squad fell short against then-Final Four contenders FEU Tamaraws and DLSU Green Spikers in five sets.
Yet heartbreaking endings are often followed by new beginnings.
The Fighting Maroons have managed to flip the narrative, earning a sweet treat in their Season 88 opener against the gutsy University of the East (UE) Red Warriors, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11, on Feb. 14 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Head in the game
In its effort to keep the Recto-based squad at bay, UP MVT coach Carlo Cabatingan emphasized necessary improvement in the team’s mental toughness.
“I guess we need to work on how we keep our game consistent and how we keep ourselves composed every time, especially how we manage our emotions and decide during game[s],” the tactician said in the post-game press conference. “Because in terms of skills, this is [the] UAAP, and I think everyone is skillful and physically gifted. And so I think the real game here is the mind.”
Team captain Olayemi Raheem, who recorded a career-high 30 points in the victory, echoed Cabatingan’s words.
“I feel like throughout the off-season, we tried to polish more on our skills and then majorly, it’s all in the mind na. So, we try to be more mentally stable when it comes to playing,” he said.
Meanwhile, senior Angelo Lipata, who transitioned from being a middle blocker to an opposite hitter, stressed that a calm and collective mindset helped the UP MVT bag the win.
“Ngayon mas pinili namin na maging composed lang sa game,” he said in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel. “Lagi lang namin sinasabi sa sarili namin na ‘Kalmado lang lagi. Dapat prepared ka kahit anong mangyari.”
Lipata boosted the offensive front of State U after producing 13 points, alongside Tommy Castrodes and Milven Francisco Jr. with 15 and 14 markers, respectively.
New parts unloading
With the departure of middle blocker Dan Nicolas, the Diliman-based squad now relies on sophomore Francisco and fresh faces on its lineup — such as Wayne Chevis, Abram Robles, Michael Vicente and Erick Perjes — to be a force on the net.
WATCH: Athletes of Diliman: UP Men’s Volleyball Team
“Kuya Dan’s departure was a huge setback for our team and adjusting without him definitely took time,” said Francisco in a correspondence with TNP. “I’ve been pushing myself to train harder and take full responsibility for the role he entrusted to me.”
Francisco added that it was important for him to improve his techniques and build on his confidence, given the change.
“I’m very happy because I can contribute to the team,” he said. “I was able to show what I worked hard for in training. My performance in the first game will be a momentum for me to train more and to do better for our [upcoming] games.”
Apart from filling the shoes Nicolas left, the second year also took it upon himself to turn the pressure into something beneficial for his teammates.
“Being [the senior] middle blocker [is] definitely a different kind of pressure for me, especially [that] I have a UAAP experience na. But sometimes it feels like everyone’s looking up to me and I wanna make sure that I’m setting a good example,” Francisco said.
Among the rookies, opposite hitter Gray Baylon saw action for the first time in the league, contributing 4 points.
Tug of war
It was a smooth-sailing first set for UP, with UE trailing behind for as much as five markers mainly due to the Maroons’ blocking prowess through Francisco, Lipata and Raheem, alongside errors.
While State U still managed to take the lead early in the second frame, the red shirts provided the UP MVT a taste of its own medicine, as Raheem got blocked to even out the game, 17-17.
Despite the team captain’s efforts to go on a deadlock at 23-all, UE’s Jan Libot found his way to drill a spike onto the service line to tie the game at 1-1.
Coming into the third set, the Fighting Maroons made sure to bounce back, with Raheem producing back-to-back points to get UP at 22-23, followed by a block from setter Louise Aballe to secure the set, 25-23.
The back and forth continues in the penultimate set, with deadlocks coming one after the other, until the Recto-based squad seized control towards the end via Xhjann Camaymayan’s block and Libot’s attacks.
The needed composure came over the maroon and white in the decider, protecting at least a three-point cushion until Raheem delivers the final point through breaking UE’s block.
Raquim Aceron and Libot led the charge for the Red Warriors, tallying 25 and 15 markers, respectively.
The UP MVT seeks to carry its rhythm forward in a clash against Katipunan Rival Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday at the same venue.
