Even with one game left in her fifth and final year with the University of the Philippines, three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker Niña Ytang is already setting her sights on the next chapter of her budding volleyball career.
Ytang has declared for the 2026 PVL Draft, with applications set to open on Monday, April 20, following the Fighting Maroons’ exit from Final Four contention in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Adamson University dashed UP’s postseason hopes after a 25-19, 25-18, 25-16 win over the Fighting Maroons. The loss left the Lady Falcons, Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, and University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses in contention for the last two Final Four berths.
“Magpapa-draft ako this year,” Ytang told reporters on Wednesday evening at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
After five years with UP, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker remained a bright spot in a Season 88 campaign derailed by injuries. She ranked ninth in scoring with 153 points built on 108 attacks, 34 blocks, and 11 aces.
She also sits second in blocking with an average of 0.71 blocks per set, with one game still remaining.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Beyond her PVL Draft plans, Ytang said she will prioritize rest, academics, and conditioning after a grueling season.
The Bantayan, Cebu native, carried much of the load for a Fighting Maroons squad plagued by injuries. Team captain Joan Monares continues to deal with a back injury, while prized transferee Casiey Dongallo was ruled out for the season after suffering ACL and meniscus tears in her left knee.
“After this season, siyempre pahinga, acads, tuloy sa acads, and tuloy ang conditioning ng katawan para sa next chapter ng volleyball career,” Ytang said.
“Siguro, kada spike naman sa laro at sa nagiging results sa game ng season namin, nakita naman talaga na nag-improve talaga yung team this season. Lumaban talaga kami sa lahat ng games namin. ‘Yon lang, lalaban talaga at nag-improve naman kahit papaano yung team.”
As Ytang prepares for her final UAAP game against UST on Sunday, April 19, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, she vowed to leave everything on the court in a bid to end her collegiate career on a winning note.
Also playing their final game for the Fighting Maroons are Monares and Jaboneta.
“Tuloy ang laban. Tuloy ang buhay. This last game namin this Sunday, kailangan lang talaga namin ituloy yung fight sa team at subukan ipanalo yung last game namin, para maganda naman yung exit namin sa last game namin.”
