Nothing can stop a determined University of the Philippines side — not even a 21-24 deficit in the fourth set or a 9-13 hole in the fifth frame.
Niña Ytang made it clear that the Fighting Maroons are aiming high in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament, leading a remarkable comeback against the defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs.
Fresh off a heavy loss to De La Salle University last Wednesday, 25-12, 25-15, 25-19, UP struggled early against NU, dropping the first two sets, 16-25, 16-25.
But the Fighting Maroons refused to fold. The team rallied under Ytang’s leadership, who reminded her teammates of their ultimate goal and the boost that comes from toppling a powerhouse like the Lady Bulldogs.
Collectively, UP clawed its way back and stunned NU with a come-from-behind victory, 16-25, 16-25, 25-22, 31-29, 18-16, on Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Of course, sobrang hirap po kasi galing po kami sa talo. So yung confidence po namin talaga masyadong mababa, that’s why nahirapan din talaga kami sa first and second set. We were thinking na kaya ba ‘to? Pero kailangan mag-show up eh,” shared Ytang.
“Kailangan talaga mag show up kasi amin ito, atin ito eh, this is our season. We are manifesting that this is gonna be our season, kaya kailangan trabaho, trabaho, trabaho. Walang titigil at puso lang talaga.”
The fifth-year middle blocker did not hide her ambition to make a deep run in the tournament—a goal that motivated her decision to stay on after Season 87.
The three-time UAAP Best Middle Blocker faced a crossroads after UP’s final game last season: go professional or play out her final collegiate year.
“Back story, dapat po maglalast year na dapat ako last season, dapat magpro na ako, but yung mga coaches, mga teammates ko, they were my inspiration to stay,” said Ytang.
“Yung mga seniors po na kasama ko ngayon, they wanted to stay na dapat bago kami umalis, maganda yung result ng season namin. So yun lang talaga ang naging dahilan kung bakit kailangan, kailangan season namin ito kasi kaya kami nag-stay para dito.”
Alongside Ytang, Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta also chose to return for one final year, aiming to bring the Fighting Maroons back to contention. The team had last reached the Final Four in Season 76 (2016).
Ytang led the charge with 18 points on 10 spikes, seven blocks, and one ace, while new additions Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero also shone, posting 20 and 19 points, respectively.
With this statement victory over the back-to-back champions, there is no denying it: UP is hungry for success this season, boasting its most stacked lineup in recent years.
#WATCH: KAYA KAMI NAG-STAY, PARA RITO ✊
Nina Ytang was supposed to enter the #PVLDraft, but instead chose to return to UP for one last redemption run 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/VG4yZl3pnX
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times #UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/uv6Obxk37Q
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 28, 2026
