UNIVERSITY of the Philippines dug deep in the fourth, overcoming a 7-14 hole to complete the stunner over Far Eastern University, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, and eclipse last year’s one-win effort in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Wednesday.
Led by Jaz Ellarina’s infectious energy, the Lady Tamaraws zoomed to a 14-7 lead in the fourth frame, looking prime to force a decider until the Fighting Maroons decided that they don’t want to play one more set.
Kianne Olango, Joan Monares, and Kassandra Doering put life to UP to turn the tables and eventually gain a 22-20 advantage.
Although errors by the Fighting Maroons allowed the Lady Tamaraws to remain within a point late, 23-24, Niña Ytang finished the game after two hours and 24 minutes with a push shot that pierced through the arms of the defenders.
“So far maganda. May sinubukan lang kami at nagwork naman. Tingnan natin baka mas mag-adapt pa sila doon sa sistema ng defense then we’ll take it from there kung paano magpo-progress. Paisa-isa,” said head coach Benson Bocboc after UP surpassed its win total from last season where it went 1-13.
The Fighting Maroons stayed undefeated with a 2-0 record, joining the National University Lady Bulldogs for the early lead in the eight-team field.
This is UP’s first win against FEU since June 2, 2022 back in the second round of Season 84, a 25-10, 25-19, 25-7 victory.
Monares’ uprising for the Fighting Maroons continued, earning 19 points on 17-of-42 spikes and two aces to go with eight digs, while rookie Olango impressed anew with 17 points.
Ytang also made her presence felt with 15 points on nine spikes, four blocks, and two aces while Irah Jaboneta also persevered with 11 points, 12 receptions, and seven digs.
UP looks to go 3-0 on Sunday when it battles the winless Ateneo de Manila University at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Clarisse Loresco was the highest scorer with 11 points as the Lady Tamaraws dropped to 1-1.
Chenie Tagaod added 10 points and seven digs as head coach Tina Salak struggled to find the right combination for this game.
FEU seeks to rebound on Sunday as well against the defending champion NU.
