The University of the Philippines (UP) Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) snapped its four-game losing streak after speeding past the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 22.
Kianne Olango led the Fighting Maroons’ return to the win column with a season-high 18 points off 14 attacks, three blocks and an ace.
Third time is the charm for Olango, who marked her best performance yet since her shift as an outside hitter two matches prior after her teammates were plagued with injuries.
For the sophomore skipper, responding well to changes mid-season was both a challenge and a responsibility.
“‘Yong mindset lang po namin every game is to embrace the role na binigay samin and mag-beast mode lang talaga,” she said.
Olango’s conversion to the left pin was prompted by co-captain Irah Jaboneta’s shift to libero and Casiey Dongallo’s early exit. Meanwhile, team captain Joan Monares’ consistent playing time remains uncertain due to injury.
Also in double digits were senior middle blocker Niña Ytang and outside hitter Jelai Gajero, who chipped in 14 and 11 markers, respectively.
Teamwork makes the dream work
Collective effort became key for the Fighting Maroons in overcoming their first set stumbles.
For head coach Fabio Menta, a collective effort to fill the void left by missing key players will be essential for the team in the upcoming crucial matches.
“We cannot count on one [or] two players, we count on everyone,” said the tactician.
With a new starting six on the court, UP WVT took time warming up in the opening set.
Outside hitter Yesha Noceja started as an opposite hitter, while Giesha Capistrano returned as the starting libero in place of Jaboneta.
Such adjustments initially forced the maroon volleybelles onto shaky ground, incurring nine errors that helped UE maintain a slim lead, 20-21, before the Diliman-based squad eventually found its tempo and pulled off a 5-0 run to end the first set.
Junior middle blocker Pling Baclay came off the bench in the second, replacing Bienne Bansil, who Menta said had experienced back pain and exited the match after the first salvo.
Baclay quickly established her presence after scoring UP’s first point in the set via a solo block against UE’s Eljane Nogueras.
State U continued its smooth run in the second, eventually winning the set with a comfortable 10-point advantage, 25-15.
Determined not to go down without a fight, the Lady Warriors led early in the third set, but a rolling shot from Olango propelled the maroon volleybelles to a 3-0 run, putting them ahead, 7-6.
An explosive output from the maroon sophomore sealed the match for the Fighting Maroons, who scored seven of her 18 points in the final set alone.
Also marking her name on the board was Noceja, who balanced offense and defense with seven points and 11 digs.
Meanwhile, Capistrano, back on the court after two games, manned the floor with 17 digs and 13 excellent receptions.
From the Recto side, veteran Khy Cepada paced the Lady Warriors with 13 points.
Despite roster shakeups, Menta remains focused on striking a balance between making do with what the squad has and maximizing players’ performances.
“We’re targeting times, recoveries, and performances to fight those teams that can clinch the fourth spot in the Final Four,” said Menta. “The girls have been working so hard, so I appreciate them a lot in the way they are working with their minds.”
State U aims to ride its winning momentum as it faces the undefeated De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Sunday, March 29, at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion.
