University of Santo Tomas’ Em Banagua drew inspiration from her idol, Niña Ytang, during her breakout performance that powered the Golden Tigresses to a Final Four-clinching win over the UP Fighting Maroons.
Knowing she would face Ytang for the first time in her young UAAP career, the UST High School product felt determined to not only shine for the Golden Tigresses but also help propel UST to its fifth consecutive Final Four appearance since Season 81 in 2019.
After being sidelined for most of Season 87 due to a minor injury in the first round and a hyperextended finger in their second-round opener, Banagua finally exploded with 12 points, including eight blocks and four attacks, to close the door on Ytang and UP’s postseason hopes for the seventh straight season since Season 79 in 2017.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“First time ko makalaban si Ate Nina. Kasi last year, hindi ko siya nakalaban tapos nung first round this season, hindi ko rin siya nakalaban,” Banagua shared with reporters after the Golden Tigresses’ sweep of the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Na-inspire ako because she’s one of the best middle blockers. Tapos naalala ko nung first year ako, palagi ko sinasabi sa kanya na ‘Ate, pabasbas po.'”
Despite Banagua’s stellar performance, Ytang — who earned UAAP 2nd Best Middle Blocker honors in Seasons 85 and 86 — still made her mark on the game. She led UP with 16 points, 13 of which came from attacks, along with three blocks.
Acknowledging her room for growth, Banagua expressed her aspirations to reach the level of excellence that Ytang has set, not only as a middle blocker but also as a leader for the rookie-heavy Fighting Maroons.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I still look up kay Ate Nina lalo’t na when I looked at her stats, grabe rin yung performance ni Ate Nina. Gawin ko siyang standard as a middle blocker para ma-follow ko yung path niya,” said the 21-year-old middle blocker.
As UST heads into its final elimination match — an exciting rivalry showdown with defending champion National University on Sunday, April 27, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum — Banagua’s breakout performance against her UAAP idol will undoubtedly boost her confidence for the upcoming Final Four tournament.
“Yung game na ito, na-boost nang malala yung confidence ko kasi lalo na pag galing sa pagiging sidelined, kailangan ko ma-prove sa coaches ko na magamit ako sa court,” Banagua shared.
“Parang in the future, yung eight blocks ko, dapat gawin ko na siyang standard. Pero I would not say na standard kasi may mga factors para magawa ko ‘yon. Every day sa training, kailangan ko i-focus yung details sa blocking.”
#WATCH: UST’s Em Banagua says she played one of her best games yet—because she went head-to-head with one of her idols, UP’s Nina Ytang 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/jF9ZDLbv1Q
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 23, 2025
