UP goes the distance before beating UE

Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

9 a.m. — Ateneo vs Adamson (m)

11 a.m. — NU vs La Salle (m)

1 p.m. — Ateneo vs Adamson (w)

3 p.m. — NU vs La Salle (w)

University of the Philippines (UP) repulsed University of the East (UE), 25-18, 26-24, 24-26, 13-25, 15-13, as hostilities in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball kicked off on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

This victory already matched the Fighting Maroons’ win total last season where they went 1-13 but not after surviving a determined Lady Warriors fightback from a 0-2 set hole and a 0-4 deficit in the decider.

“First game of the season, of course coming in, the players were all excited and they weren’t all too familiar with the changes in UE,” said head coach Benson Bocboc, who had an auspicious debut.

Down 12-18 in the third period, the Lady Warriors stayed in contention as Riza Nogales, Kayce Balingit and Cepada rallied to force a fourth set, 26-24.

That was enough to light a fire in UE as Cepada and Nogales powered them to a dominant 25-13 fourth set to stretch the match to a decider.

Although trailing 2-8 early in the fifth, the Lady Warriors fought back through Cepada while Ashley Cañete’s ace tied the match at 13.

However, middle blockers Nica Celis and Niña Ytang came through in the clutch, hitting a push shot through the block for the match point before Ytang hammered a quick kill for the win after two hours and 33 minutes.

“We have to do something with our individual skills and teamwork and connection with each other,”said outside spiker Joan Monares, who wound up with 17 points and 11 digs.

Rookie Kianne Olango also impressed with 15 points on 11 spikes and four blocks, while Irah Jaboneta and Ytang got 12 and 11 points, respectively.

UP looks to make it two in a row to open the season when it faces Far Eastern University this Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University (FEU) men’s team wasted no time settling an old score, overpowering the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in a commanding 20-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 victory.

Season 86 beach volleyball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alche Gupiteo led the charge, delivering a crucial crosscourt kill in the fourth set to stifle UST’s comeback attempt. Errors also haunted the Growling Tigers, as an attack miscue by Espartero further widened the gap.

Despite a late rally that trimmed UST’s deficit to 21-18, FEU’s Talisayan, Espartero, and Dryx Saavedra delivered clutch points to seal the win.

Adding to UST’s woes was a devastating injury to two-time MVP Josh Ybanez, who suffered an apparent right ankle injury at the 22-18 mark of the fourth set. Attempting a backrow attack, Ybanez landed on teammate Trevor Valera’s foot and was forced to exit the match, further dampening UST’s hopes of a comeback.