Quitting isn’t part of the vocabulary of University of the Philippines (UP).

With their backs against the wall and a powerhouse squad in De La Salle University standing in their way, the Fighting Maroons summoned every ounce of heart and grit to pull off an earthshaking win that kept their Final Four hopes alive in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

Led by the inspired trio of Joan Monares, Kassy Doering and Kianne Olango, the Fighting Maroons shocked the Lady Spikers with a thrilling 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14 victory that gave them their sixth win in 12 matches to move closer to a Final Four spot.

‘I’m really grateful that my teammates trust me.’

“Overall, I think we did well. There were just some moments where we strayed from the plan, so I couldn’t help but shout a bit,” said Bocboc, who spent his career serving as chief deputy of 12-time UAAP champion coach Ramil de Jesus at La Salle.

“But we managed to bounce back. It was a close call, but luckily, the ones we expected to deliver came through during the crucial moments.”

Monares shone in the clutch once again, hammering the match-winning down-the-line spike as part of her 16-point effort — a performance that mirrored her heroics during their shock win over defending champion National University last 26 March.

“I’m really grateful that my teammates trust me,” the 23-year old wing spiker said.

“It means a lot to me that they let me take the last point, and I just try my best to make it count for the team.”

Doering also made her presence felt at the net with 15 points, including 12 kills and three crucial blocks. Her performance was fueled by the support of her teammates, from whom she drew strength during key moments of pressure.

“I think it’s just about finding that fight within us and within my teammates,” the Filipino-American middle blocker said.

“As soon as we feel like we might falter, I look to my teammates to kind of rekindle that spark inside, and I think that’s what showed up today.”

Olango, the prized rookie from NU Nazareth School, chipped in 14 points and provided the spark that UP needed in crucial stretches.

But the battle is far from done.

The Fighting Maroons must win their last two assignments against University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University to at least force a playoff for what could be their first Final Four appearance since Season 78.