Up until the very end, a retooled and rookie-laden University of the Philippines squad kept in step with perennial contenders in their determined bid to end a six-season Final Four drought in UAAP women’s volleyball.
However, with their postseason hopes hanging by a thread, the Fighting Maroons’ dream came to an abrupt halt.
Final Four-bound University of Santo Tomas slammed the door shut on UP’s aspirations with a commanding 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 sweep in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday afternoon at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The loss officially eliminated UP from Final Four contention for the seventh consecutive season since Season 79. Still, team mainstays Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta remained proud of the strides the Fighting Maroons made throughout the tournament.
After being limited to just two combined wins in Seasons 85 and 86, UP stunned many this year by emerging as a dark horse in a loaded field — defeating semifinal-bound teams like FEU, NU, and defending champion La Salle during Season 87.
“We fell short sa game ngayon pero looking on the brighter side, there’s progress sa team. It’s better to have that. We’re in a much better place than last year. Yun nga, mas okay na yung may progress kami this season compared to last season, and we’re proud of that kasi we worked hard din coming into and preparing for this season,” said Monares, who contributed seven points, six excellent receptions, and five excellent digs in the loss.
“Ang laki ng improvement at pinagbago ng team namin compared sa mga nakaraang season. Masaya rin kasi naangat na yung standings and malaking bagay na ‘yon sa amin. Ako, mas malungkot talaga kasi nandoon na ‘eh. Pero sobrang saya pa rin kasi with Coach Boc, ilang months pa lang kami magkakasama, at ang laki na ng progress ng team, ang laking bagay ‘non,” added Jaboneta, who tallied four points, 11 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
An upset win over UST could have kept UP alive in the heated Final Four race, though even then, their fate would have depended on the results of other teams’ games.
But rather than dwelling on missed chances and “what-ifs,” both Jaboneta and Monares — now in their third playing year — encouraged the young Fighting Maroons to use the heartbreak of Season 87 as fuel for a stronger push next year.
With promising rookies like Kianne Olango, Bienne Bansil, and Jaz Manguilimotan already showing flashes of brilliance, UP will also be reinforced in Season 88 by the arrival of Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Shamel Fernandez, and Jenalyn Umayam — all former standouts from University of the East under Coach Obet Vital, who is now part of Head Coach Benson Bocboc’s staff.
“I think sana they take this as motivation for next year kasi yung mga rookies namin, malalaki rin yung potential. I know na they’re gonna do better next season than this season. I hope na yung mga bata, ma-continue nila yung sinimulan namin dito. Teamwork pa rin at the end of the day — it does not matter who’s playing inside the court and kung sino nasa outside ng court, basta tulong-tulong,” Monares emphasized.
“Sa team naman, gamitin nila itong as a motivation ito and inspiration na madadala nila at mapakita nila yung kaya nila at yung laban nila for UP lagi,” Jaboneta concluded.
UP will wrap up its Season 87 campaign against Shaina Nitura and the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Sunday, April 27, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
#WATCH: Despite missing the Final Four, Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares hold their heads high, proud of UP’s campaign. They’re even more fired up for next season—with the CAL girls joining the fight 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/DJNZHxjMgW
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 23, 2025
