When the trio of Joan Monares, Nina Ytang, and Irah Jaboneta decided to play their final year of eligibility, expectations were high for the University of the Philippines ahead of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament — especially with key additions Jelai Gajero and Casiey Dongallo.
However, the injury bug struck the Fighting Maroons.
Monares is still dealing with a back injury, Jaboneta missed two games due to an undisclosed injury, and Dongallo was ruled out for the season with an ACL and meniscus tear in his left knee.
Still, there is no time to lick their wounds.
Two graduating players, Jaboneta and Ytang, feel determined to give everything they have in the final three games of the eliminations against fellow postseason contenders Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, and Adamson University.
The duo showed their eagerness on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, combining for 30 points in the Fighting Maroons’ straight-sets romp over the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Same, ‘yon talaga dapat namin isipin na ipanalo yung every game namin starting today and in the future. At the same time rin, i-enjoy yung every laro namin kasi hindi naman ito…,” Ytang said. She finished with 18 points on 13 attacks, three blocks, and two aces to push UP to a 5-6 win-loss record.
“Since this is our last year, we just want to enjoy and hopefully, mapanalo and mapasama kami sa Final Four.”
Jaboneta added, “Na hindi pa tapos yung laban, pero hindi ganon kadali kasi nga naghahabol kami. Each game talaga, kailangan namin i-treat na parang last game namin lagi. Ganoon yung mindset kasi naghahabol kami.
“Sabi nga ni Coach Fabio, hindi tayo mag-slow down. Kung ano yung pinapakita sa training, ilabas lang sa game at huwag kalimutan mag-enjoy kasi ‘yon ang kailangan.” Jaboneta contributed 12 points, five excellent receptions, and three excellent digs.
With only two wins in their past seven outings, Ytang admitted there is pressure not only to secure crucial victories for UP but also to end the program’s seven-season drought in UAAP women’s volleyball.
Still, belief runs strong in Diliman. The three-time 2nd Best Middle Blocker is determined to go beyond her individual offensive contributions, emphasizing the importance of uplifting the Fighting Maroons’ character and energy on and off the taraflex.
“Of course, nandoon pa rin yung pressure na gusto namin manalo. But as a senior din, sa isip ko, hindi lang dapat sa skill tumutulong. Dapat pati sa character and sa energy. Kung ano na lang yung maisip kong gawin sa loob ng court na makakatulong sa confidence ng teammates ko, ginagawa ko na lang talaga,” Ytang shared.
“Kung ano na lang ang maisip, basta makatulong na lang sa morale at mapataas ang energy, ’yon ang ginagawa ko para sa team. Grateful naman ako kasi sinasabayan ako ng mga teammates ko, mga kalog din sila.“
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, Jaboneta — who returned after a two-game absence due to an undisclosed injury — has focused on overcoming both physical and mental exhaustion, with a clear goal in mind: proving that UP belongs in the Final Four.
The 24-year-old outside hitter from Antique acknowledged there is no time for doubt as the Fighting Maroons close out the eliminations with tough matches against the Lady Tamaraws, the Lady Falcons, and the Golden Tigresses.
UST currently sits third with a 7-4 record, Adamson is fourth at 6-5, while FEU — battling unbeaten La Salle as of this writing — is fifth at 6-4.
“For me naman, hindi porket last playing year na, ganon ka-eager maglaro. Ever since naman, ganon kami kagigil maglaro to show the community and the supporters, and even our family na gusto namin maglaro at mahal namin yung ginagawa namin. Mas lalo na ngayon, iba yung eagerness kasi last playing year namin,” Jaboneta expressed.
“Pahinga lang and laro ulit kasi ganoon ko kagustong makatulong sa team kasi nga last playing year ko na. There’s no time to doubt pa. Kung kaya, ilaro talaga kasi you’ll never know kung ano ang matutulong mo sa team at kung ano yung factor mo sa loob ng court. As much as I can, I’ll give my 101-percent sa loob ng court.”
#WATCH: LAST THREE GAMES ✊
Nina Ytang and Irah Jaboneta vow to give their all in their finals games in #UAAPSeason88 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/BV8FmGS0Pr
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/4z2brO3dVE
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 8, 2026
