UP shocker snaps NU’s perfect run

MANILA, Philippines — Vengeful University of the Philippines pulled the rug from under previously unbeaten reigning champion National U, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12, in a shocker in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Center in San Juan.

The Fighting Maroons unleashed a key 4-0 run in the fourth set capped by a Joan Monares hammer to complete the upset that put a blemish on the Lady Bulldogs’ perfect 8-0 start.

Middle blocker Niña Ytang led the way with a career-high 30 points on 27 hits and three blocks as UP ended a nine-game, seven-year losing drought to the mighty NU since Season 81 in 2019.

And the Fighting Maroons, in the process, jacked up their record to 4-5.

Ytang was the first middle blocker to breach 30 points since Jaja Santiago of NU tallied the same output in 2017.

But the veteran Maroon wasn’t alone in the massive win with Monares (16), Irah Jaboneta, Kianne Olango (10) and Bienne Bansil (10) chipping in solid contributions.

Jaboneta had 13 digs and 19 receptions for an all-around play while Jaz Manguilimotan engineered UP’s offense with 17 excellent sets and libero Yesha Capistrano provided 11 digs and seven receptions.

“Speechless ako. Bilog talaga ang bola. Binigay lang namin talaga lahat,” said Ytang, who also came close to the UP women’s record of 32 points set by Tots Carlos in 2018.

“Sabi nga namin nung fifth set, dito na, malayo na tayo, kaya bakit pa tayo susuko? Nilaban lang talaga namin, tulungan at tiyaga lang sa loob ng court.”

UP did, erasing a 1-2 set deficit with a fight highlighted by a crucial blitz in the decider.

The Lady Bulldogs, who swept the Fighting Maroons in the first round, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, were still protecting a 12-11 lead in the fifth before being blanked the rest of the way.

UP launched an onslaught in four straight possessions highlighted by Ytang’s quick hit and Monares’ finisher that went straight through.