University of the Philippines grabbed its third win in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament after outlasting University of the East, 25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21 Sunday, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Sabi ko nga problem solver kami so kung may makikita kaming problema, itatry namin ng bago yun lang subok kami nang subok,” Head Coach Carlo Cabatingan shared when asked about Angelo Lipata’s conversion to open after playing their first nine games as a middle blocker. Lipata contributed nine points from seven attacks and two kill blocks, in addition to his nine excellent receptions with a 39% efficiency.
Olayemi Raheem top-scored for the squad with 22 points from 21 attacks and a block, while Tommy Castrodes assisted with 16 points off 15 spikes, an ace, eight excellent digs, and 16 excellent receptions. Battling cramps for the entirety of the fourth set, Justine Sotto contributed 13 excellent digs and Louise Aballe finished with 27 excellent sets.
The dub puts UP at solo sixth with a 3-7 standing, with four games yet to played. This is already UP’s best record since UAAP Season 80, where the Jerry Earl San Pedro-led squad finished at 4-10. It is two and a half games behind joint-fourth UST Golden Spikers and De La Salle Green Spikers currently at 5-4.
UP led by as much as seven at 22-15 in the first frame before a series of errors and miscommunications allowed the Red Warriors to cut the lead to four, 23-19. Castrodes, however, was able to close the set after UP’s successful challenge on a block touch.
In the second frame, UP had to create a 7-2 run, care of substitute Gelay Lagando and the attacking tandem of Dan Nicolas and Raheem, to overcome UE’s 14-9 lead and eventually claim the set.
Despite being up 20-18 in the third set, a series of UP errors allowed UE to catch up. At 22-23, Niño Bersano committed a reception error to hand the Red Warriors set point, followed by a Jhon Roca off the block hit to keep UE alive in the match.
UP’s dominant start was also present in the fourth set, leading by as much as six at 14-8; however, UE kept checking their attacks, eventually finding themselves within three at 17-14. Then, Milven Francisco, Raheem, and Lagando made it impossible for the Red Warriors to extend the match, until a Xjhann Camaymayan net touch gave UP the set and the win.
Raquim Aceron led the Red Warriors with 20 markers from 18 spikes and two blocks and 30 receptions. He was assisted by Camaymayan’s 12 off eight attacks and four blocks, while Roca and Roy Piojo gave 11 and 10, respectively.
Now eliminated from Final Four contention, UE will look to play spoiler against final four-seeking La Salle next Saturday, 11 AM, at the Big Dome. Meanwhile, UP will look to tie its Season 80 record on Sunday 9 AM, at the same venue, when it faces league-leading FEU Tamaraws (9-1), who lost its unblemished record to the NU Bulldogs (8-2) earlier today.
This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is made in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.
