Fresh off an upset against the DLSU Lady Spikers, the UP Women’s Volleyball Team (WVT) aimed to take down another title contender in UAAP Season 87 for a chance to snap a nine-year absence in the Final Four.
However, State U was unable to break through the blocks of the UST Growling Tigresses, 20-25, 21-25, 18-25, shutting the door on the Maroons’ playoff aspirations on Wednesday, April 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite closing a pivotal chapter on their Cinderella run, senior spiker Joan Monares focused on the positive outings the team showcased this season.
“We fell short sa game na ‘yon. But on the brighter side, there’s progress sa team. It’s better to have that, na we’re in a much better place than last year,” said Monares in the post-game press conference.
“Mas okay na ‘yong may progress kami compared sa last season. We’re proud of that, kasi we worked hard preparing for this season,” she added.
The Fighting Maroons currently hold the fifth spot in the standings with a 6-7 record, tripling the combined total of two wins they tallied in the past two seasons.
State U’s standout year saw massive victories against top contenders, including the league’s biggest upset—a five-set win that handed the defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs their first loss in Season 87.
Despite losing in straight sets, UP WVT battled until the end to keep the Espana-based squad on their toes.
Trailing by eight in the first salvo, UP quickly regained momentum after a long rally ended by Kianne Olango’s cross-court spike that ignited a 7-0 offensive run to narrow the lead to one.
The Maroons, however, failed to defend UST’s retaliation, dropping the first set, 20-25.
Strong attacks from middle blockers Niña Ytang and Kassy Doering tied the second frame at 20, but UP faltered late to give up a 0-2 set advantage.
UST’s momentum proved too much for UP to overcome, taking the third set and handing the Diliman-based squad their seventh loss to bow them out of the Final Four contention.
For Maroon outside hitter Irah Jaboneta, who recorded a defensive double-double with 11 digs and 11 receptions, the team’s drastic improvement can be attributed to their new coach, Benson Bocboc.
“With Coach Boc, ilang months pa lang kaming magkasama pero iba na po ‘yung progress ng team,” Jaboneta said in the post-game press conference
“Malaking improvement, Malaki ‘yung pinagbago ng team namin compared sa nakaraang season. Syempre po masaya naangat po ‘yung standings and malaking bagay na rin ‘yun sa amin,” the Maroon mainstay added.
Ytang was the Maroons’ sole double-digit scorer with 16 points, while libero Giesha Capistrano notched 14 receptions and 17 digs.
UST’s final-four clinching victory was led by Em Banagua’s 12 points, built off a career-high eight kill blocks, and Angge Poyos’s 19 markers.
The UP WVT will seek to end their breakout season on a high note against the Adamson Lady Falcons today, April 27, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
