Bright lights and opening-day jitters often shake rookies in their debut, but Kianne Olango stood firm.
Point by point, she took University of the Philippines to a grueling victory over University of the East in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
An accomplished high school standout with National University Nazareth School, Olango entered the collegiate scene with a championship pedigree.
She was the Season 85 MVP, a two-time Best Opposite Hitter, and a silver medalist in Season 86.
Now, she looks to bring a winning culture to a UP squad that struggled with a 1-13 record last season.
Proving her mettle once again, the 19-year-old outside hitter thrived under the pressure of a packed MOA Arena.
She delivered 15 points, built on 11 attacks and four blocks, to power the Fighting Maroons to a hard-fought 25-18, 26-24, 24-26, 13-25, 15-13 victory, overcoming a gritty UE squad.
Despite an impressive debut, Olango acknowledged that both she and her team still have room for improvement, especially after nearly squandering a 2-0 set lead.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Sa first game ko po, talagang naramdaman ko yung kaba kasi iba yung venue na ganito kalaki tapos maraming audience. Siguro sa mga next games, kailangan ko po maging matapang at matalino,” Olango said postgame.
“Siguro yung ano talaga, yung pagiging matapang and pagbawi. Siyempre, na-off talaga ako kanina kasi puro block. I have to work again tomorrow sa training.”
Beyond shifting UP’s culture, Olango’s goal is to help the Fighting Maroons reach the Final Four for the first time in over a decade — a mission fueled by her desire to honor the “ates” who endured the program’s toughest years.
With fellow NUNS standout Yesha Noceja joining the squad, Olango hopes to build chemistry with UP’s key mainstays — Nica Celis, Nina Ytang, Joan Monares, and Irah Jaboneta — to finally break the Final Four drought dating back to Season 78.
“Ang pinaka-goal ko talaga ay mag-Final Four kami, especially para sa mga ates namin na matagal na gusto nilang mag-Final Four. That’s my number one goal talaga… Gusto ko talaga yung nagle-learn sa kanila, eh,” she concluded.
“Parang adventure kumbaga. I know naman na mahaba pa yung lalakbayin namin sa college, and I know we can do it together.”
