Victory slipped off the palms of the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons against De La Salle University on Sunday, March 29, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Amid strings of losses, both teams found strength in the face of drawbacks.
The Men’s Volleyball Team (MVT) continues to show steady improvement as the season progresses, while the Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) moves forward despite an injury-laden lineup.
The maroon jerseys remain sixth in the league, with the UP MVT at a 3-7 slate and the WVT at 4-6.
Teaming UP
On the taraflex, there may be two outcomes: tables turning or fate replicating.
The UP MVT endured the former, succumbing to the Taft-based squad in four sets in their second round meet-up this season, managing to take only the third salvo, 22-25, 23-25, 25-18, 24-26.
Last round, the Iskos prevailed over the green and white under the exact opposite circumstances.
READ: Chances on the court: Abram Robles and Zairus Pacure stand out in DLSU showdown
Amid the lost chance to bag another win against La Salle, head coach Carlo Cabatingan highlighted the team’s bright spots.
“I’ve seen a lot of improvements, especially here in the second [round], do’n sa ginawa naming training — how we read the game and how we respond to the situation na binibigay sa ‘min,” he told Tinig ng Plaridel. “Generally, we had a better performance today [compared to Round 1]. It’s just that La Salle also performed well.”
Starting libero Niño Bersano also shared his perspective on how the tides turned in favor of the Green Spikers.
“‘Yong first round against La Salle is, yes, may mga lapses din ‘yong La Salle at that time so tinake advantage [namin] ‘yon,” the junior said to TNP. “Mas okay [rin] ‘yong communication [namin] no’ng last time compared to this [round].”
The two opening sets had the squads in a nip-and-tuck battle, but the Green Spikers were able to execute an offense UP could not handle.
“[S]iguro ‘yong lapses lang namin sa first and the second set, [for] myself, ang tagal ko ring naka-adjust [and] ang tagal naka-adjust ng team,” explained Bersano.
Bersano made a crucial save in the third set that led to a Louise Aballe block, shifting the momentum on their side and leading to as many as 11.
For the junior libero, what mattered even more in that set was how the squad displayed its connection and decision-making prowess, better anticipating the attacks and movements of the opposing team.
“Nag-improve ‘yong reading ng bawat isa,” the libero said, echoing their tactician’s words. “Ang nagwo-work sa loob ng court is kaming lahat [na] mga players. Nagtutulungan kami kung ano ‘yong dapat gawin at hindi dapat gawin. So, para sa ‘min, ang best na nakuha namin in this game is ‘yong maturity ng bawat isa sa loob ng court.”
Team captain Olayemi Raheem, who showed up big with 24 points in the loss, shared the same sentiment.
“It wasn’t just a single person playing, it was a team playing,” Raheem said. “The chemistry we’re having, and then in terms of decisions and executions, we just need to be more [mature] about it.”
The last set saw nine deadlocks between the gutsy squads, yet errors toward the end proved costly for the Maroons, to which the Green Spikers capitalized on.
Rookie middle blocker Abram Robles and senior opposite hitter Angelo Lipata backstopped State U with 12 and 10 markers, respectively, while setter Aballe orchestrated 19 excellent sets and Bersano registered 10 excellent digs.
Meanwhile, Issa Ousseini and Uriel Mendoza produced 17 points apiece to boost La Salle.
The UP MVT will maximize the week-long break to continue working on both mental and physical strengths.
“It’s not over until it’s over naman eh. Because whenever we’re playing, [we] just bring in [our] 100% effort and make sure it’s a team effort,” Raheem said.
UPhill Battle
The UP WVT faced a tough task against the undefeated DLSU Lady Spikers, attempting to replicate its Season 87 upset victory against a team on the verge of a season sweep.
READ: Teamwork made the dream work: UP WVT snaps NU win streak
With four players out, the Fighting Maroons failed to repeat history as they fell to La Salle, 15-25, 18-25, 20-25.
Along with Casiey Dongallo and team captain Joan Monares, who have been dealing with injuries earlier this season, Bienne Bansil and Irah Jaboneta also did not play in their Palm Sunday match against the Lady Spikers.
Maroon winger Jelai Gajero said that their mindset going into the game short-handed was to simply fight and give it their best.
“Very down po talaga ‘yong team namin since before training, [marami] na pong nasaktan sa’min. May mga [injured] po. So, hindi po talaga kami kumpleto,” Gajero said in an interview with TNP. “Kung ano na lang po ‘yong meron kami, ‘yon na lang po ‘yong nilalaban namin.”
Despite having a reduced roster, State U opened the match strong led by Niña Ytang’s three attacks in the middle as it went toe-to-toe against the Lady Spikers to secure a 10-10 deadlock.
However, the Diliman-based squad failed to keep up with DLSU’s firepower, unable to answer multiple scoring runs and ultimately dropping the first set, 15-25.
UP’s slow momentum continued in the second salvo after its defense could not contain attacks from the green and white’s Angel Canino and Shevana Laput, who combined for 12 points, 18-25.
Down two sets to none, the Maroons came alive in the third as they were finally able to convert from their attacks. However, La Salle’s high-powered offense edged out UP, 20-25.
Despite falling short of a comeback, opposite hitter Kianne Olango said that they continued to showcase their intensity even as their backs were against the wall.
“Laban lang talaga. Ilaban lang nang ilaban. Ipakita lang ‘yong intensity [sa paglalaro] at i-celebrate ‘yong every point,” said the sophomore spiker.
Ytang and Gajero led the Maroons’ scoring efforts with nine points apiece while Olango pitched seven markers.
Canino and Laput anchored the Lady Spikers’ offense with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The Fighting Maroons aim to improve their rank as they face Katipunan Rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles on April 8 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
