BY MARK REY MONTEJO
Moments after University of the Philippines halted defending champion National University’s eight-game winning streak with a stunning 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-13 victory in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball, many were in disbelief.
The UP Fighting Maroons included.
“Di namin in-expect na mananalo kami… pagkapanalo, pagkakuha namin ng last point, di ko alam yung gagawin ko. Iiyak, matutuwa, sisigaw ba ako,” said Nina Ytang after their win on Wednesday just hours before tennis ace Alex Eala made history in Miami.
“Kasi very surprising yung result nung game, and talagang anything is possible, and kapit lang talaga,” she added.
That was what Eala also produced – a stunning 6-2, 7-5 win over 5-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek to march into the semifinals of the Miami Open.
The Fighting Maroons overcame a 1-2 set deficit and rallied back from a slim 12-11 edge in the fifth frame with Niña Ytang and Joan Monares delivering in the clutch.
UP’s victory not only broke its nine-game losing streak to the Lady Bulldogs since 2019, but also handed NU its first loss of the season.
The Fighting Maroons also hiked their tally to 4-5 in the middle standings — a fitting bounce back victory after a heartbreaking five-set loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles last weekend.
The 6-foot Cebuana hitter tallied her career-best 30 30 points on 27 attacks and three blocks, becoming the first middle blocker to reach 30 points after former NU star Jaja Santiago in 2017.
“Nakaka-pressure, kasi iisipin ko kung paano ko ipagpapatuloy yung ganung performance sa next game. Siguro sipag lang talaga,” said Ytang.
Monares shone with 16 points, while Kianne Olango, Irah Jaboneta and Bienne Bansil chipped in 10 points apiece.
Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon had 21 and 19 points, respectively, in a losing effort for NU.
UP shoots for a second straight win when it collides with slumping University of the East (0-9) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, March 30.
