University of the East closed its UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball campaign with a 23-25, 25-17, 27-25, 25-22 win over University of the Philippines, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Lady Warriors arrested their five-game skid to finish the season at 3-11, tied with Adamson University for sixth to seventh places.
It was a two-win improvement from last season, where they finished 1-13, and UE’s best campaign since the Kath Arado-led squad logged three wins in 2019.
“Given the rookies that we have playing, I felt that we did pretty good. Could have done better but very proud of the accomplishments so far,” said UE interim coach Obet Vital.
The Lady Warriors led 20-14 late in the fourth but the Fighting Maroons had one last run in them.
(C) Yvan Martinez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Through the collaboration of Irah Jaboneta and Jewel Encarnacion, UP was able to inch within a point, 22-23, but Casiey Dongallo responded with a crosscourt kill followed by a UE solid block to end the game in two hours and 12 minutes.
Dongallo went for 28 points on 25 attacks, two blocks, and an ace along with nine digs to cap her impressive rookie year.
“Masaya kasi even though may goal kami na hindi namin nagawa pero nandito pa rin kami nanalo naman kami sa last game namin and naibigay namin yun sa seniors kasi sabi ko sa kanila aalis sila sa UE na iba naman yung history,“ said Dongallo.
Riza Nogales backstopped the super rookie with 17 points while Kayce Balingit also posted 10 points to her name.
Kizzie Madriaga logged 12 excellent sets while second-year libero Ange Reyes collected four digs.
(C) Yvan Martinez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Dea Villamor, Dara Nieva, and Jen Zeta have all played their final game for UE while Abi Goc also had her final run for UP.
(C) Yvan Martinez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
The Fighting Maroons ended the tournament on a seven-game losing streak, tallying a 1-13 record for last place.
Leading the way for UP were Steph Bustrillo and Jaboneta with 15 points each while Niña Ytang also had 13 points.
