The University of the Philippines (UP) posted a straight-sets victory over the University of the East (UE), 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 and boosted its Final Four quest in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Fighting Maroons evened their win-loss record at 5-5, securing solo fifth place, just half a game behind the fourth-seeded University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 5-4.

Despite the crucial win, UP head coach Benson Bocboc remained critical of his team’s performance, noting inconsistencies that need to be addressed.

“The team’s movement was quite messy today. Our opponents made a lot of errors, which worked in our favor, but we still have a lot to improve on,” Bocboc said.

“We started a bit shaky, and by this point in the second round, that shouldn’t be happening anymore.”

UP pulled away in the third set, breaking a 5-all deadlock with a 7-0 run led by Irah Jaboneta, Kassy Doering, Kianne Olango and Joan Monares, sealing the match in just 83 minutes.

Monares led UP with 15 points, while Jaboneta delivered a well-rounded performance with 13 points, nine digs and eight receptions.

Doering and Olango added eight points each, while libero Giesha Capistrano tallied 11 excellent digs and nine receptions.

The Fighting Maroons will aim for a third consecutive win next Sunday against Far Eastern University (FEU), a team they defeated in the first round.

Meanwhile, UE officially bowed out of Final Four contention after suffering its 10th straight loss.

‘The team’s movement was quite messy today.’

Van Bangayan was the lone bright spot for the Lady Warriors with 13 points, while Khy Cepada struggled with just four points before being replaced in the third set.

UE will try to salvage a win when it faces De La Salle University on Saturday.

In the men’s division, National University (NU) reaffirmed its status as the team to beat by handing FEU its first loss of the tournament in a thrilling five-setter, 17-25, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14, 15-9.

Despite a slow start, the Bulldogs displayed their championship pedigree, storming back behind a breakout performance from Leo Ordiales, who came off the bench to score a career-high 19 points on 14 spikes, three blocks and two aces.

Michaelo Buddin contributed 16 points, including 11 attacks, three aces, and two blocks, while team captain Leo Aringo provided stability with 14 points, 20 receptions and five digs.

FEU’s Dryx Saavedra led all scorers with 20 points, while Mikko Espartero added 15, but their efforts were not enough to keep the Tamaraws undefeated.

Meanwhile, UP kept its Final Four hopes alive also in men’s play with a four-set victory over UE, 25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21.

Raheem Olayemi powered the Fighting Maroons with 22 points, while Angelo Lipata, transitioning to an outside hitter role, added nine points and nine receptions.

Dan Nicolas and Angelo Lagando chipped in eight and seven points, respectively, while rookie setter Louise Aballe orchestrated the offense with 27 excellent sets.

UE had four players scoring in double figures, led by Raquim Aceron’s 20 points and 30 excellent receptions.

Team captain Xjhann Camaymayan scored 12, while Roca and Roy Piojo contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.