They say the last is never the least.
So the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons aim for nothing less than their best efforts, as they move towards their final game for Season 88.
The UP volleyball teams suffered twin losses at the hands of Adamson University in their penultimate matches on Wednesday, April 15, at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.
With the defeat, the women’s squad lost its chance for a Final Four berth while the men’s roster now shares a three-way tie with the Falcons and the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors at the bottom of the standings.
Despite these setbacks, the teams share one goal: to give their all for their concluding salvo both for the UP community and their departing seniors.
Out but not down
With its semifinal berth on the line, the UP Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) entered its rematch against the Adamson Lady Falcons with a must-win mindset but eventually fell short, 19-25, 18-25, 16-25, dropping out of the Final Four race.
Having only one match left in the season, senior Irah Jaboneta shared the team’s “no holding back” mentality as they eye to end their final season in the collegiate league on a high note.
“Wala nang [i-hohold] back pa, last game na eh. So kailangan [i]buhos na lahat,” she said in an interview with Tinig ng Plaridel. “All out na last game.”
The trio of Jaboneta, three-time best middle blocker Niña Ytang and team captain Joan Monares will conclude their final run for UP on Sunday.
“It’s hard to leave UP like this kasi siyempre ilang taon kaming naghirap. Talagang pinangarap namin ‘tong seniors na sana [bago kami] umalis, maabot namin ‘yong Final Four,” she said. “Since hindi nga namin nakuha, sana ‘yong mga matitirang bata, sana makita nila kung paano namin nilaban ‘yong UP. And kung anong pride ‘yong meron kami ‘pag naglalaro.”
Sophomore opposite turned open hitter Kianne Olango stepped up for the squad with 13 points off 11 attacks and two aces, along with four excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions in their match against the Shaina Nitura-led Lady Falcons.
The first set saw a seesaw battle between both squads as State U opened the match with a 2-0 advantage, but Adamson caught up and pulled away with a 7-2 run to eventually take the set, 19-25.
Errors plagued both teams in the second salvo as UP committed seven, while Adamson gave away eight. Olango cut a four-point deficit to 11-13 midway through the set with a drop ball and an ace, but the duo of Nitura and Frances Mordi sparked a run to end the set in favor of the Falcons.
Down 0-2 and at the brink of elimination, the Diliman-based squad attempted to extend the match but consecutive attacks from Nitura swung the momentum in the San Marcelino-based squad’s favor. She scored 10 points in the third set alone, closing the match at 16-25.
Nitura led the Falcon flight with 26 points built from 23 attacks and three blocks.
Meanwhile, Ytang was limited to four points off two attacks, a block and an ace, after tallying her season-high 19 markers in their previous match against the Lady Tamaraws.
For the first time this season, assistant coach Aleksi Lahteenmaki took the coaching reins in place of head coach Fabio Menta, and will continue to lead until the end of the season as the team vows to give its seniors a fitting farewell to their time as Fighting Maroons.
Wishful swan song
The UP Men’s Volleyball Team (MVT) faltered against the gutsy Adamson Soaring Falcons in four sets, 23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 23-25, pushing State U to have the same 3-10 record alongside the San Marcelino-based squad and the UE Red Warriors.
Amid the head-to-head battle, two sophomore starters showed up when it mattered for State U: middle blocker Milven Francisco Jr. and outside hitter Tommy Castrodes.
Francisco matched his season-high 14 points built from 11 attacks, two blocks and a service ace, in their first round clash against the UE Red Warriors.
“Since nagwo-work ako [sa loob ng court], kailangan ko ipagpatuloy ‘yon no matter what [happens],” the 20-year-old said to TNP. “Kailangan ko mag-show up and ipakita ko na nandito ako para sa kanila [teammates] and para i-boost ‘yong confidence nila.”
While the De La Salle University Green Spikers’ previous loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles affected the UP MVT’s Final Four bid, for Francisco, there is still a purpose to fulfill.
“[S]inasabi ni coach [Carlo Cabatingan], ibuhos na namin sa training, ibuhos na namin ‘yong best, kasi ‘yong mga senior [ay] aalis na,” the middle blocker said. “For us na mga matitira, ibibigay na namin ‘yong lahat para sa kanila.”
Setter Clarence Santiago and middle blocker turned outside hitter Angelo Lipata are both in their last playing years, while open spiker Gelay Lagando was forced to sit on the sidelines due to an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
On the other hand, Castrodes notched a career-high and a double-double performance of 19 points and 14 excellent receptions.
“‘Di ko naman [iniisip kung] ilan ‘yong points ko, basta maka-contribute ako sa team,” the sophomore spiker shared with TNP.
The Fighting Maroons took the lead early in the match, 12-10, until the Falcons managed to attack off the hands of State U blockers consecutively towards the end of the opening set to get ahead, 23-25.
The second set saw the Diliman-based squad leading and the Falcons catching up late. A check from a Castrodes’ hit followed by a Francisco block helped UP tie the game, 1-1.
Struggle came over the maroon shirts in the penultimate set, until a Francisco spike sparked a 3-0 run, 15-15, but the blue and white managed to respond as quickly with Raven Ducusin’s attack onto zone 5 to give Adamson a 1-2 advantage.
The teams went neck-and-neck in the fourth salvo, recording eight deadlocks throughout. With an off-the-block hit by Catrodes, UP saw hope as the set drew to a close, 23-22, but a push and a block from Adamson’s Richard Besorio and Leo Coguimbal, respectively, took the momentum away from State U.
Castrodes attempted to extend the game and take the match point away from the Falcons, but his attack met the net, following a short underhand set from playmaker Louise Aballe, 23-25.
With one last game under their sleeves and minding the team’s shortcomings against Adamson, Francisco and Castrodes emphasized their key takeaways.
“Lahat ng bagay is importante and walang dapat nasasayang,” said Francisco. “Chine-cherish ko lahat ng mga point and kung nagkakamali man, kailangan i-acknowledge agad and move on.”
Meanwhile, Castrodes reflected on his game-ending error.
“[Kailangang] panindigan ko pa ‘yong role ko, kasi nga ‘yong sa last point nga, hindi ko alam ‘yong nangyari,” the outside hitter expressed. “We’ll do our best [against UST]. Bibigyan namin sila [UST] ng larong maganda. Siguro, hindi namin ibibigay basta-basta ‘yong game.”
Both squads will face UST and aim to end their last assignment for the season with a victory on Sunday, April 19, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
