Despite another stellar year with University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, senior middle blocker Niña Ytang has expressed her interest in turning professional ahead of the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft.
Ytang was a crucial asset in the Fighting Maroons’ 6-8 finish in Season 87 — their best record since matching the same slate in Season 81. She scored a total of 161 points, including 122 attacks, 30 blocks, and nine aces, while also being named the second Best Blocker with an average of 0.55 blocks per set.
Beyond her on-court achievements, the two-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker’s leadership played a key role in the breakout campaigns of Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares, as well as the rise of top rookies Kianne Olango and Bienne Bansil.
“Option pa rin siya sa akin kasi I still have one more year, but marami kasi kailangan i-consider, lalo na sa situation ko,” Ytang shared with reporters after UP’s straight-sets loss to Adamson University, which concluded the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“I also want to go to pro kasi for growth din, for new experiences as a volleyball player, and I am sure matutulungan ako kung saan ‘man ako mapupunta,” she added.
However, Ytang’s interest in turning pro doesn’t mean she is closing the door on a potential return to UP for Season 88 — especially with one more playing year in the cards, numerous uncertainties, and a bright future for the Fighting Maroons.
(C) PVL Images
The team’s heartbreak came from being in Final Four contention until their penultimate Season 87 match, only to be eliminated by the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, marking their seventh consecutive postseason exit since Season 79.
Looking ahead, the Fighting Maroons are poised for further improvement, with key players like Olango and Bansil returning, and the potential return of Ytang, Jaboneta, and Monares. Additionally, UP will welcome Casiey Dongalo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Shamel Fernandez, and Jenalyn Umayam to the roster.
“May natitira pa rin talaga sakin na laban sa UP at yung puso na alam mo ‘yon, yung pride ba na ipaglaban yung school. It’s an option, hindi ko pa alam, kailangan pa pag-isipan. Mahaba pa naman yung [oras] dahil malayo pa yung deadline nung requirements sa mga pro,” the pride of Liloan, Cebu remarked.
No matter what decision Ytang makes — whether staying with UP or turning professional — the 23-year-old middle blocker is confident that the Fighting Maroons will continue the legacy that she and her teammates helped establish within the program.
“Kayang-kaya. I’m sure kayang-kaya, 100-percent, kayang-kaya nila i-push ‘yan kasi may fight din sila at may laban din sila na para bang dala-dala nila yung sarili nila. Kailangan lang ‘non konting guidance siguro kung sino ‘man yung seniors yung matitira, kailangan lang maging as one sila sa paglalaro nila,” Ytang shared.
“Kung ano ‘man mangyayari next season, kailangan nila lumaban pa rin. Hindi pwede yung may doubt sa sarili and sa team. Kailangan magtiwala sila sa sarili nila, tiwala sila sa team nila, at keep on fighting. Huwag na huwag susuko. Have pride talaga sa paglalaro.”
#WATCH: Nina Ytang is confident that UP’s #UAAPSeason87 rookie batch + transferees will continue the fight she and her fellow seniors began 🏐
📹 Ernest Tuazon/Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/i6ona0O7Iq
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 27, 2025
