University of the Philippines needed three sets to heat up before unleashing its full power over Ateneo de Manila University, 17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14, to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
The win pushed the Fighting Maroons to 2-0 — the first time UP started a season with back-to-back victories since Season 84 (2022) — and was particularly significant as it ended their 11-game losing streak to the Blue Eagles, dating back to the first round of Season 81.
“Finally, we found a way to play our own game because we were worrying too much about what was happening on the other side. So, when we found that kind of rhythm, that kind of game that we like more, we became more effective,” said UP head coach Fabio Menta.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
When the Fighting Maroons got going, however, the Blue Eagles refused to go away, showing grit in the fourth set by coming back from a 9-18 deficit to tie the game at 23 off a 14-5 rally.
Two straight errors by Ana Hermosura, though, allowed UP to force a decisive fifth set.
In the fifth, UP had to fend off another Ateneo rally as the Blue Eagles turned a 6-9 hole into a 9-all tie before the teams exchanged points until 14-all.
Nigerian spiker Fina Ali then delivered a sharp crosscourt hit for the 15-14 match point, and Niña Ytang sealed the two-hour, 32-minute marathon with a solid block on Zey Pacia for the win.
“Actually, nung first two sets, dun po talaga, parang kulang po talaga sa energy. Sabi nga nung referee sa’min kanina, grabe yung warm up niyo ah, two sets yung warm up niyo,” said Ytang, who finished with 15 points on 11 spikes, three blocks, and an ace.
“Dapat from the start pa lang, yung energy, yung grit, yung hunger sa pagpanalo, dapat nilabas na namin.”
Irah Jaboneta, who cramped up in the fifth set, added 14 points, eight excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Ali contributed 13 points in the first three sets — all of which were won by the Fighting Maroons.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
JLo Delos Santos, coming off a torn ACL, led the Blue Eagles with 21 points and 11 digs, but Ateneo remained winless after two games following their meltdown.
Rookie Ana Hermosura added 19 points and nine digs, while first-year middle blocker Donna De Leon, active in the first two sets, scored 11 of her 15 points there.
KC Cortez, who delivered nine excellent sets in the first three sets, was benched in the fourth and fifth frames for captain Taks Fujimoto, who tallied three excellent sets.
Both teams return to action on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo will face University of Santo Tomas at 1:00 PM, while UP takes on De La Salle University at 3:00 PM.
