The fight continues for the UP Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) after capping off Round 1 of the UAAP Season 87 Volleyball Tournament on a high note with a thrilling five-set showdown against the Adamson Lady Falcons, 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10, last March 16, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
After back-to-back absences, two-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang returns to the fray, unleashing 20 points coming from 15 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces in the win.
Ytang set the tone early for the team, leading them towards a comfortable 10-point lead over the Lady Falcons in the opening frame, 25-15.
Adamson’s super rookie-captain Shaina Nitura was aided by Barbie Jamili in the second set, contributing 18 points coming off the bench, securing the deuce set, 16-25.
The San Marcelino-based squad continued to dominate the third set, with Nuique and Villegas stepping up to convert scoring points for the Lady Falcons.
A cross-court attack from outside hitter Irah Jaboneta delivered the set point in favor of the Fighting Maroons, 24-23, but ultimately lost in the extension, 24-26, after a UP rotation error during the crucial 24-all, proving costly.
State U hustled to extend the game in the fourth set, starting off with a 3-0 run courtesy of two attacks from Maroon spiker Joan Monares. Amid close calls, UP never looked back as Ytang closed the set with a sharp hit in the middle, resulting in a decider, 25-22.
Jaboneta caught fire early with seven consecutive attacks to open UP’s offense, dragging the team in a 8-4 advantage.
After timely attacks from Ytang which brought the Diliman-based squad to match point, Jaboneta swoops in for the final blow to secure their third win of the season at 15-10.
Despite Nitura’s record-breaking 38 points, the Fighting Maroons were able to secure the victory with their collective team effort as head coach Benson Bocboc emphasized.
“Siguro given na ‘yun si Nitura, possible talaga can score that many points, even more pa depende sa close ng laro. Pero with UP, tulong-tulong talaga kasi ‘yun ‘yung binabantayan namin sa kanila, kapag may nawawala doon sa plano, binabalik lang namin sila kasi we need to work as a group talaga,” said Bocboc in the post-game interview.
Ytang revealed that she had to sit out for two games to recover from an abdominal strain that hindered her performance.
“Every time na pumapalo ako, sumasakit siya. Kaya hindi talaga pwede ayun [maglaro]. Ngayon recovering na po ako, may konti pa pero kaya naman po,” Ytang shared in a post-game interview with Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP).
As a way to make up for her two straight absences, the 5-foot-10 middle blocker focused on contributing for the team with the best that she can.
“Actually, sobrang nanghihinayang din ako sa last two games namin. Inisip ko na lang na kailangan ko bumawi sa team. Not just for me, but sa team kasi kailangan ko mag-contribute. Ginagawa ko ‘yung best ko in any kind of way para makatulong sa team,” said Ytang.
Alongside Ytang, three Maroons crossed the double digit scoring threshold with Jaboneta dropping 19 points while Monares and rookie Kianne Olango engineered 15 markers each.
First round rollercoaster
For UP WVT, the opening half for the season was a mixed bag, to say the least.
After a dream 2-0 start by escaping the UE Lady Warriors and an upset win against powerhouse FEU Lady Tamaraws, the Fighting Maroons endured a tough setback after skidding to four consecutive losses at the latter half of the opening round.
Despite the losses, Bocboc remained positive as he made in-game adjustments to the lineup to build the confidence of all his players with the “next woman up” mentality.
The Diliman-based squad’s defeat against the UST Growling Tigresses on March 5 extended the team’s losing skid against the España-based squad to six, dating back to Round 1 of Season 84.
The Fighting Maroons had it tough due to the missing presence of senior Maroon Niña Ytang on the court, but rookie middle blocker Bienne Bansil stepped up to fill the gap of her absence.
Defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs continued to keep their flawless run, defeating the Fighting Maroons in three straight sets on March 9. One-and-done middle blocker Kassy Doering filled the void in the team’s net defense, contributing 11 points, built from eight attacks and three blocks.
As the second round approaches, Jaboneta expressed her gratitude to their coaches and emphasized that they needed to end the first round of eliminations on a high note to carry the momentum.
“I’m really thankful po sa coaches, na inuuna po talaga nila ‘yung recovery namin […] kaya po every interview talagang gini-give back namin sa kanila ‘yung mga panalo, ‘yung pinagdaanan na ‘to […] Kaya sa second round—ayun nga last game na, kailangan talagang mag-iwan kami ng maganda para may dadalin kami para sa second round,” said Jaboneta in a post-game interview with TNP.
The maroon volleybelles will enter the second round of this season’s eliminations with their chins up and an improved 3-4 record.
They will continue their quest for a Final Four spot as they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on March 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena to kick off the second round.
UP WVT ROUND 1 SET SCORES:
- vs UE (3-2): 25-18, 26-24, 24-26, 13-25, 15-13
- vs FEU (3-1): 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23
- vs ADMU (0-3): 18-25, 22-25, 18-25
- vs DLSU (1-3): 22-25, 26-24, 18-25, 17-25
- vs UST (1-3): 11-25, 23-25, 25-23, 12-25.
- vs NU (0-3): 13-25, 23-25, 22-25
- vs ADU (3-2): 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10
