Over the past two seasons, University of the Philippines endured back-to-back disappointing campaigns, managing just two wins while languishing at the bottom of the standings.
Now, the Fighting Maroons have rewritten their story.
Not only have they more than doubled their win total with five victories, but UP has also firmly positioned itself as a legitimate Final Four contender in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
For Irah Jaboneta, the Fighting Maroons’ sudden rise is a testament to the hard work she and her fellow seniors put in years ago — efforts that are finally bearing fruit as they push to redefine UP’s place in the league.
“Sobrang saya po kasi ilang taon din kaming mga seniors, ilang taon din namin pinangarap at trinabaho ito. Ngayon, nagbubunga na siya, kaya sobrang saya,” said Jaboneta, who has been with the team since Season 84 alongside Nica Celis, Joan Monares, and Niña Ytang.
“Fulfilling siya kasi po nagbubunga ‘yung pinagtatrabahuhan namin pero ‘yun nga sabi ko, hindi pa [dito] nagtatapos ‘yun. Every game challenging talaga, so dagdag pa, laging itatama ‘yung mga mali. Ganun lang po lagi every game.”
According to Jaboneta, what has truly made this surprise run possible is the arrival of their talented crop of young players, led by Kianne Olango and Yesha Noceja.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Ngayon, siyempre dati mayroon nang teamwork, pero iba po ngayon ang chemistry at samahan. Parang isang tunay na pamilya na, lalo na’t maraming bata sa team,” said the 23-year-old La Salle-Zobel product.
“Mas nag-e-enjoy kami kasi sila mismo nakikiusap at nagtatanong sa amin, ‘Ate, paano po ito?’ Kami namang mga ate, sobrang swerte na open sila sa amin. Nakikita namin na kahit bago lang sila, masaya silang kasama kami. Kaya iyon ang pinaka-ibang nararamdaman namin ngayon,” she continued.
The Fighting Maroons opened the tournament with back-to-back wins, defeating the University of the East before pulling off a stunning upset against fellow Final Four contender Far Eastern University.
However, their momentum took a hit as they stumbled through a four-game losing streak late in the first round.
But UP appears to be peaking at the right time, winning three of its last four games, including a monumental five-set upset against defending champion National University last Wednesday.
Their 5-5 record now places them in solo fifth, within striking distance of the Final Four.
The work, however, does not stop there. The Fighting Maroons are not just content with being contenders — they are determined to break through and secure their place in the Final Four.
“Pero syempre, hindi pa kami kuntento doon kasi mayroon pa kaming goal na dapat maabot. Kaya trabaho lang nang trabaho.”
#WATCH: From heartbreak to hope—Irah Jaboneta takes pride in UP’s fight but won’t be satisfied until the Maroons break into the #UAAPSeason87 Final Four 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/iSRG3gEOsL
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 30, 2025
