Walang takot, kahit kanino.
The UP Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) defied expectations in UAAP Season 87, beating three of the Final Four teams—Far Eastern University (FEU), National University (NU), and De La Salle University (DLSU)—and wrapping up their campaign with a much-improved 6-8 record, a huge leap from last season’s 1-13.
Despite closing the season with back-to-back losses, the squad’s journey was nothing short of inspiring, as they matched their best finish since Season 81, where they also notched six wins out of 14 games.
Against all odds, the Maroon volleybelles proved they were no easy team to push aside—fighting with grit, heart, and the fearless spirit their mantra promises.
Putting the ‘UP’ in upsets
Following a grueling five-set loss to Katipunan rivals Ateneo Blue Eagles, the Fighting Maroons pulled the “biggest upset of the season,” handing the defending champions, the NU Lady Bulldogs, their first loss after a flawless 9-0 run.
The win marked UP’s first victory over NU since Season 80 and prevented the stepladder format, ensuring the traditional Final Four knockout round in the semifinals.
Two-time Second Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang rallied the team to victory, registering a career-high of 30 points—an unusual feat for a middle blocker since Jaja Santiago’s UAAP days.
Carrying confidence and momentum from defeating the top-seeded team, the Diliman-based squad snatched another win with a dominant performance against the UE Lady Warriors—their first straight-set win since Season 84.
Seniors Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta led the charge with 15 and 13 points, respectively, in the victory.
After their two-game winning streak, the Diliman-based squad was halted after a 1-3 loss to the powerhouse FEU Lady Tamaraws, who were determined not to replicate their Round 1 skid against the Fighting Maroons, which marked UP’s first major upset of the season.
At the brink of elimination, the Fighting Maroons once again shook the standings, pushing consistent title contenders DLSU Lady Spikers a step back from securing a twice-to-beat advantage.
With head coach Benson Bocboc, a former mentor who helped the green and white achieve consecutive Final Four and Finals appearances, the Maroons were able to crack the code and neutralize the league giants.
Rookie setter Jaz Manguilimotan delivered 24 excellent sets, leading four players to score in double figures: Monares with 16, Kassy Doering with 15 off the bench, Kianne Olango with 14, and Ytang with 11.
However, the hopes of clinching a Final Four spot vanished into thin air after their loss to last season’s finalists, the UST Golden Tigresses, in three sets, extending their losing skid to seven matches.
On April 27, the Fighting Maroons unfortunately ended their season on a sour note after a straight-sets loss to the Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons.
Despite exiting the last game early due to sickness, Monares finished the season with a total of 172 points built from 153 attacks, six blocks and 13 aces, placing her among the top scorers in the league after the elimination round.
Monares shared that the squad’s teamwork has helped them secure a better finish this season despite falling short of a Final Four spot.
“[I] think it’s a factor siguro na medyo hindi kami naka-focus sa fine details sa laro, sa game, or sa training—but we make the most out of it,” Monares shared in the post-game interview.
Reflecting on the performance of the players this season, coach Bocboc expressed his satisfaction and commended them for enjoying the games.
“Sa tingin ko, nag-enjoy lang sila getting those opportunities and beating the teams na sinasabi nilang, you know, suki sa Top 4, the big teams,” the tactician said in the post-game interview.
“[A]nyone can beat you, kaya kailangan talaga sa walong UAAP schools, naghahanda talaga nang mabuti. Hindi pu-pwedeng sabihin na hindi sila nagto-Top 4, hindi na sila mananalo sa’yo.”
Graduating team captain Nica Celis expressed pride in how far the team had come after their heartbreaks over the past few seasons.
“[A]lthough we’re proud, we’re not satisfied kasi we could’ve gone further. But, to leave with a light heart, we’re happy for how far we’ve come, and I know malayo mararating ng mga bata,” Celis shared in the post-game press conference.
With confidence, Celis added that with proper guidance, the young teammates she will be leaving behind could go far because of their potential to reach not just the Final Four but to win a championship.
UP Next
With the heartbreaking losses and almosts in Season 87, the rookie-laden squad looks forward to bouncing back next season.
Whether the seniors decide to stay or not, Bocboc said they must be certain of their commitment and emphasized the importance of wholehearted dedication for the team to succeed.
“Kailangan buo ‘yung loob niyo kung magstay kayo. […] Kapag kalahati ang puso mo, kahit superstar ka, next year it will not be successful. So kung magstay kayo, kailangan buo. […] Kapag nawala ‘yung puso na ‘yun, sana naman hindi—mag-iiba. Kahit sabihin mo anim diyan superstar, hindi mananalo ‘yan,” said Bocboc.
Celis will be exiting the team after exhausting her last playing year, followed by Doering, who has concluded her one-and-done stint.
“If God allows it, if it is within God’s time, gusto ko magtuloy ng pro. But I have to keep working, and again, if it’s in God’s plans,” Celis shared.
Meanwhile, seniors Ytang, Jaboneta, and Monares have one more playing year left, but whether they will use it remains uncertain.
“Just going with the flow, kung saan man ako mapunta,” said Monares.
“Volleyball pa rin po. [May] kailangan pa akong pag-isipan, maraming kailangang i-consider. Well, ganun naman talaga ‘yung buhay eh, hindi naman talaga sigurado. Basta volleyball pa rin, volleyball is life,” said Ytang with jest.
Coach Bocboc acknowledged the uncertainty around the team’s plans, particularly regarding the graduating players.
“Well, for next year, ‘di ko alam, tingnan natin. […] Hindi pa kami nagpaplano, pag-uusapan uli namin. Definitely, kapag andyan pa [sila], definitely mas matibay ‘to next year. Hindi natin masabi kung sino ‘yung maiiwan, ‘di natin alam sino ‘yung mga taong makakasama, pero definitely kung sakaling andiyan kami, we will make a promise,” said Bocboc.
UP WVT expects to welcome a new set of reinforcements, including former UE star player Casiey Dongallo, opposite spiker Jelai Gajero, setter Kizzie Madriaga and spiker Jenalyn Umayam, as they complete their year of residency in UP.
Prior to this transfer, Coach Obet Vital stepped down as the UE WVT head coach in December 2024 and joined the UP coaching staff to work alongside Bocboc.
The second-semester recruits are set to fuel the young squad in building a stronger team for Season 88. With both fresh and familiar talents coming in, the team is determined to strengthen its core and aim for the long-deprived Final Four spot.
UP WVT ROUND 2 SET SCORES:
vs ADMU (2-3): 25-15, 23-25, 25-27, 32-30, 14-16
vs NU (3-2): 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12
vs UE (3-0): 25-21, 25-18, 25-17
vs FEU (1-3): 21-25, 16-25, 25-14, 24-26
vs DLSU (3-2): 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14
vs UST (0-3): 20-25, 21-25, 18-25
vs ADU (0-3): 13-25, 21-25, 18-25
