By MARK REY MONTEJO
Niña Ytang and Joan Monares delivered down the stretch as University of the Philippines finally solved the riddle and upset National University, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday, March 26.
Coming off a heartbreaking five-set loss to Ateneo last weekend, the Fighting Maroons sprung back to consciousness after losing their rhythm in sets two and three before Ytang and Monares finished the job with clutch hits in the final frame to ultimately snap the Lady Bulldogs’ eight-game winning run.
Ytang stood out with her career-high 30 points on 27 attacks and three blocks – the most points from any Maroon since Tots Carlos’ 32-point performance way back 2018.
It was also the State U’s first victory over NU since Season 80, which, coincidentally, happened at the same venue.
“Talagang minimize namin ‘yong output ng NU… tulong-tulong talaga sila eh… tyinaga talaga nila, buti nakabangon,” said UP head coach Benson Bocboc.
“Very surprising talaga eh, kaya talagang everything is possible,” Ytang added.
Monares backstopped Ytang with 16 points, while Irah Jaboneta, Kianne Olango, and Bienne Bansil added 10 points each for UP, which improved to 4-5 at fifth place.
Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon conspired for 40 points while Vange Alinsug and Minierva Maaya added 16 and 11 in a losing cause as NU dropped its first game win in nine games.
Meanwhile, the five-peat seeking NU overcame a first-set stumble and turned back UP, 23-25, 25-14, 25-20, 25-23, to get back on the winning track in the men’s side.
After falling short in the opening set, the Bulldogs regained their form and didn’t let the Fighting Maroons come closer with a dominant second-frame showing which dictated the tempo up to the end.
Jade Disquitado starred for NU, registering 22 points off 21 attacks and one block along with 20 excellent receptions and six excellent digs. Leo Aringo and Buds Buddin added 19 and 17 points, respectively. The Dante Alinsunurin-mentored group improved its tally to 7-2 at second place.
Kobe Aca-ac was the lone double-digit scorer for UP with 26. The Maroons fell to 2-7.
