Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem fired 30 points as the University of the Philippines overcame a late fightback from the University of the East to claim a 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11 victory, kicking off their UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament campaign on a high note, Saturday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
After seizing a 2-1 set advantage, the Fighting Maroons weathered a narrow fourth-set stumble before quickly regrouping in the decider, fending off a Red Warriors rally from a 2-10 deficit and denying the Recto-based side a chance to snap a nearly two-year, 21-match losing streak that dates back to March 17, 2024.
With the graduation of middle blocker Dan Nicolas and the season-ending ACL injury to top hitter Angelo Lagando, Raheem led the charge with 30 points on 29-of-63 kills. Fellow second-year Tommy Castrodes nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points on 14 attacks and one ace, alongside nine excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“In terms of polishing, I guess we need to work on how we keep our game consistent and how we keep ourselves composed every time, especially at how we manage our emotions every time,” said head coach Carlo Cabatingan, now in his second season with the Fighting Maroons.
“In terms of skills, this is the UAAP, so I think everyone is skillful and physically gifted, so I think the real game here is the mind,” he added.
Determined to recover from their slim fourth-set defeat, UP asserted dominance from the start of the decisive fifth frame, opening with a 10-2 run highlighted by an Abram Robles attack and three consecutive miscues from Raquim Aceron and Xjhann Camaymayan.
The Red Warriors attempted a comeback as a Jan Libot attack and two consecutive blocks by Gene Malit capped an 8-3 run that trimmed the deficit to 13-10.
However, the Fighting Maroons closed out the contest when Castrodes converted an off-the-block attack and Raheem sealed his 30-point explosion with a game-winning through-the-block hit.
Milven Francisco contributed 14 points on 10 attacks, two blocks, and two aces, while Angelo Lipata rounded out UP’s five double-digit scorers with 13 points on 11 attacks, two blocks, and nine excellent receptions. Louise Aballe orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets and added four points.
The Fighting Maroons will look to continue their winning form against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles next Sunday, February 22, at the same venue.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Meanwhile, the combined efforts of Aceron and Libot were not enough for UE to secure its first win since a five-set triumph over UP in Season 86 on March 17, 2024, extending their losing streak to 22 consecutive matches.
Aceron led the Red Warriors with 26 points on 23 attacks, two aces, and one block, alongside 10 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs, while Libot added 15 points on 14 attacks. Camaymayan chipped in 11 points on six attacks and five blocks, while Isaiah Roca and Gerald Perit contributed nine and seven points, respectively.
UE will aim for a breakthrough win against perennial contender Far Eastern University this Wednesday, February 18, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
