Nearing the end of their UAAP Season 86 journey, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons drop both of their games against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws in the collegiate volleyball tournaments on Saturday, April 20, at the PhilSports Arena.
Both the UP men’s and women’s teams remain at the bottom of their respective brackets with 1-12 records.
Trampled anew
The UP Men’s Volleyball Team (UP MVT) suffered a crushing straight-sets loss against the top-seeded FEU Tamaraws, 17-25, 22-25, 22-25.
After beating the Adamson Soaring Falcons in their breakthrough win last April 13, UP was unable to stay in the winning column after the Morayta-based squad bested them in the blocking (4-12) and attacking (34-40) departments.
UP, however, improved in their scoring compared to their first-round matchup against the Tamaraws.
After a relatively comfortable win for FEU in the first set, UP managed to secure a deadlock in the second frame with a Clarence Santiago ace at 8-8.
Both teams engaged in a seesaw battle until Vincent Nadera and Reymond Sabanal extended the lead of the Tamaraws at 20-23, ultimately paving the way for a second-set win.
UP tried to keep up in the third frame and even led by a point during the first half of the set until the Tamaraws immediately responded with three consecutive blocks, 10-13.
While UP managed to chip off a 7-point lead of the Tamaraws to 20-22, FEU’s composure led the green shirts to take the match.
Louis Gamban was the highest scorer for the Maroons with 10 points from 9 attacks and an ace. Meanwhile, team captain Daniel Nicolas tallied 9 markers built on 6 attacks and three blocks.
On the flipside, FEU setter Ariel Cacao orchestrated their team’s offense with 13 excellent sets.
Set stolen, game lost
The UP Women’s Volleyball Team (UP WVT) absorbed a devastating defeat against the FEU Lady Tamaraws in a hard-fought four-set match, 20-25, 29-27, 21-25, 21-25.
While their first-round matchup was an easy rout for the Lady Tamaraws, the Fighting Maroons put up a much better fight in this game with a thrilling second set.
After an FEU-dominated opening frame, State U went point-for-point courtesy of opposite hitter Stephanie Bustrillo and middle blocker Niña Ytang who gave them a 7-3 lead.
The two teams were locked in a tight battle, going into extended play until an attacking error from FEU outside hitter Chenie Tagaod gave the Diliman-based squad its first set win.
However, UP failed to build on its momentum as they struggle to gain control in the third set against the vaunted Tamaraw defense.
The Fighting Maroons tried to build on an early 7-3 lead in the fourth chapter, but FEU’s Alyzza Devosora powered FEU to a 20-17 cushion.
Irah Jaboneta and Bustrillo scored apiece to keep UP afloat, but the Morayta-based squad shut the door with Tagaod’s spike and block to end the game.
Bustrillo boosted the maroon shirts with 16 points built on 14 attacks and two aces, supported by Niña Ytang and Jewel Encarnacion’s 15 and 13 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Faida Bakanke starred for FEU with 19 points to lead all scorers, while Tagaod also contributed 13 markers.
UP looks to cap off their Season 86 runs on a winning note as they square off with the University of the East on April 27 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, with the MVT suiting up at 10 a.m. and the WVT at 12 noon.
