Niña Ytang delivered a performance of a lifetime, exploding for 30 points to lead University of the Philippines to the biggest upset of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
The Fighting Maroons shocked the previously unbeaten National University Lady Bulldogs, rallying for a thrilling 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 comeback victory, Wednesday afternoon at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Coming off a tough five-set loss to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles last Saturday, the Fighting Maroons leaned on Ytang’s dominant effort.
They now hold solo fifth place in the standings with a 4-5 record, breaking their previous three-way tie with Ateneo and Adamson University.
Ytang became the first middle blocker across all eight teams to score at least 30 points since National University legend Jaja Santiago’s 30-point effort in a five-set loss to University of Santo Tomas on April 8, 2017.
She also came just two points shy of matching the UP women’s volleyball scoring record set by Tots Carlos on February 28, 2018.
More significantly, Ytang’s heroics ended a seven-year, nine-game losing streak against NU, a drought that dated back to Season 81 in 2019. The last time UP defeated the Lady Bulldogs was in the second round of Season 80 on April 4, 2018.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Speechless ako. Bilog talaga ang bola. Binigay lang namin talaga lahat eh. Sabi nga namin nung fifth set, dito na, malayo na tayo, kaya bakit pa tayo susuko? Linaban lang talaga namin, tulungan at tiyaga lang sa loob ng court,” said the 23-year-old middle blocker.
In a tightly-contested fifth set, NU appeared to be gaining control after back-to-back blocks from Sheena Toring and Alyssa Solomon gave them a slim 12-11 lead. However, UP showcased remarkable composure under pressure, unleashing a decisive 4-0 run.
A net touch violation and an attack error from Solomon, followed by a quick hit from Ytang and an off-the-block attack from Joan Monares, sealed the stunning win in two hours and 35 minutes.
“Mabilis lang din talaga mag-adjust yung mga players sa instructions. Of course, we tried to minimize yung output ng NU. So far, nagwork kasi tulong-tulong talaga sila eh, simula sa service, galing sa block, hanggang sa depensa. Tiniyaga nila. Nung medyo natalo tayo, sobrang down talaga ng energy, pero buti nakabangon,” said Fighting Maroons head coach Benson Bocboc.
Ytang received strong support from Monares, who tallied 16 points along with eight excellent digs and eight excellent receptions. Irah Jaboneta registered a triple-double with 10 points on eight attacks, one block, and one ace, adding 19 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
Kianne Olango and Bienne Bansil, both products of NU’s girls’ volleyball program, also made crucial contributions, scoring 10 points each against their former school. Setter Jaz Manguilimot orchestrated the offense with 17 excellent sets, while Yesha Capistrano added 11 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
UP aims to build on this momentum when they face the winless University of the East on Sunday, March 30, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Meanwhile, NU’s nine-game winning streak came to an end, dropping them to an 8-1 record ahead of a crucial matchup against Far Eastern University on the same day and venue.
MVP frontrunner Bella Belen led the Lady Bulldogs with a triple-double performance of 21 points on 16 attacks and five aces, alongside 13 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions. Solomon contributed 19 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and one ace, with nine excellent digs.
Vange Alinsug added 16 points on 12 attacks, three aces, and one block, along with eight excellent digs and eight excellent receptions. Meanwhile, Erin Pangilinan chipped in 11 points on eight attacks and three blocks in the loss.
#WATCH: “TULONG-TULONG SILA!” ❤️💚
Coach Benson Bocboc credits UP’s team effort, highlighting Nina Ytang, Joan Monares, and the rest of the Fighting Maroons for their big win over NU! 🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon/ Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/r7JRbQIpVW
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 26, 2025
