UP WVT clips Blue Eagles' wings for 5th in SSL Pre-season Unity Cup

The University of the Philippines (UP) Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) closed out its Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Pre-season Unity Cup 2025 run in fifth place after overcoming the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles in four sets, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16.

The Fighting Maroons completed their revenge against their Katipunan neighbors after falling to the Blue Eagles in both rounds of UAAP Season 87.

Hope still ‘UP’

Looking to end its SSL 2025 campaign on a high note, the WVT notched two wins from its final matches against the San Beda University (SBU) Red Lions and ADMU Blue Eagles.

The maroon volleybelles first edged out a victory against the Red Lions in three close sets, 26-24, 25-23, 25-22.

Casiey Dongallo slowly recovered her dominating form, leading State U’s scoring output with 10 points.

A Katipunan rematch was set during the battle for fifth place, with the Fighting Maroons maintaining their mastery over Ateneo in four sets, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23, 25-16.

Despite a shaky start in the first set, the Diliman-based squad came back at the Blue Eagles vigorously in the second set for a reverse sweep, jumping three spots up from the previous year’s eighth-place finish.

Fighting Maroons head coach Fabio Menta highlighted inconsistent individual outputs as a serious hindrance to the squad’s performance.

“We struggled with individuals. We did not have the full power of Dongallo and Gajero in the beginning, so we struggled on that and we [lost],” he said.

But the seasoned tactician remained hopeful his players would be able to adjust if given more time.

“We are not playing [consistently] yet. But, you know, we just started 3 months ago. We gotta give the girls time.”

Team captain Irah Jaboneta also expressed optimism in the team’s potential following UP’s improved standing at the pre-season tournament.

“Syempre, proud kasi pinaghirapan din naman ‘yon. Pero hindi pa kami dapat doon mag-stop or mag-settle kasi alam namin na mayroon pa kaming mapapakita,” she said.

Meanwhile, fellow senior player Joan Monares’ return remains uncertain as she continues a lengthy recovery from an injury. The former team captain last suited up for UP at the league’s Davao leg.

Team captain Irah Jaboneta, originally an outside hitter, plays as a libero in their final SSL 2025 match against the Ateneo Blue Eagles. *Photo by Niklas Arriola*

Tough climbs, tough fights

After a clean run in the SSL playoffs, UP faced a rough road in the second round, losing back-to-back against defending UAAP Season 87 champions National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs and V-League Collegiate Division champions Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons.

With two giants in its pool, the WVT fell far from a chance to secure a twice-to-beat advantage, succumbing first to NU in four sets.

UP came back from an opening set loss, taking the second set with a tight 25-23 win, but the Jhocson-based squad capitalized on 35 errors from the Fighting Maroons and claimed the match in four sets.

Dongallo and Jelai Gajero led State U’s fight with 14 points each, followed by senior Niña Ytang with seven.

UP suffered yet another peril in the claws of the Shaina Nitura-led Lady Falcons, which showed no signs of fatigue after shadowing Diliman in straight sets, 20-25, 22-25, 23-25.

Kianne Olango was limited to nine points, while Dongallo and Yesha Noceja chipped in seven markers each.

Going after a much-needed momentum builder to carry on to the quarterfinals, the Fighting Maroons then won their first clash against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in straight sets, 25-19, 25-15, 25-14.

Gajero led UP’s comeback win against the blue and white shirts, tallying 12 points off 11 attacks and a block.

“Mahalaga po [iyong first win] sa amin para ma-boost din ‘yong confidence ulit namin,” the upcoming UAAP Season 88 Maroon rookie said.

Gajero also highlighted the team’s progress in building confidence as their first face-off against the Blue Eagles marked the first time the Fighting Maroons tallied fewer errors than their opponents in any match since Round 1.

“Wino-work on namin ‘yong lumaban po with heart and mind.”

Not going down without a fight

Known for their upsets, the Fighting Maroons forced a do-or-die match against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws after defeating them in four sets, 25-27, 25-21, 25-18, 25-20, to stop the latter from marching seamlessly to the semifinals.

State U encountered an early stumble in the opening set as setter Jaz Manguilimotan suffered an injury to her right limb after a bad landing. Kizzie Madriaga took charge of playmaking for UP as both teams continued to score neck-and-neck, with Morayta eventually prevailing, 27-25.

Rising to the challenge after Manguilimotan’s injury, UP claimed all later sets as Dongallo found her groove against the Lady Tams, leading the Fighting Maroons with 21 markers coming off 18 attacks, two aces and a block.

But with one spark plug down for UP, the Morayta-based squad — with its twice-to-beat advantage — beheld an almost straightforward shot at redemption, which it did not send to waste.

A duel at the net ensues between middle blockers Niña Ytang (UP) and Jaz Ellarina (FEU) in Paco Arena. *Photo by 2025 Shakey’s Super League Media Team*

In their second encounter at Paco Arena in Manila, FEU denied UP in four sets — 26-24, 22-25, 25-18, 26-24 — what could have been its first semifinals appearance in any aired volleyball league since its title finish in the 2018 PSL Collegiate Grand Slam Conference.

The Fighting Maroons started strong and arrived at set point in the first set with a four-point lead, 24-20. But a late 6-0 run by the Lady Tamaraws forced an extension and eventually handed the opening set in their favor, 24-26.

State U came back to take the second set, 25-20, but errors proved costly for the maroon shirts, ultimately allowing the Lady Tamaraws to take full control of the game.