University of the Philippines swept University of the East during their second round encounter, 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

This three-set win is the first for the ladies from Diliman this season. The Fighting Maroons also won their first round match against the Lady Warriors in five sets, 25-18, 26-24, 24-26, 13-25, 15-13. 

With this victory, UP, who are still in the hunt for a final four spot, now has a 5-5 win-loss standing and is currently sitting at fifth place, just behind fourth-ranked UST (5-4), and third placer FEU (6-4).  Defending champions NU still lead the standings at 9-1, while DLSU is second at 6-3. Unfortunately, the winless Lady Warriors are officially out of contention at 8th place.

Despite being out-attacked by the Lady Warriors during the first set at 11-10, the Fighting Maroons still prevailed, taking advantage of UE’s 10 unforced errors, on top of the three service aces fired by UP, two from Joan Monares and one from Kassy Doering.  Rookie opposite hitter Kianne Olango then delivered the winning point of the set from a backrow attack.

The second set went smoother, as the Lady Warriors continued to be plagued with nine errors.  In this frame, UP led in attacks at 11-10, while also delivering more kill blocks than UE at 3-1, courtesy of Niña Ytang, Kassy Doering, and Nikha Cabasac.  The set ended in favor of the Fighting Maroons from a Khy Cepada service error.

Both teams went neck and neck during the start of the third set. Tied at 5-all, UP started a 7-0 run to grab a comfortable lead at 12-5, but UE mustered a 10-7 run to get within four, 15-19.  The Fighting Maroons countered with a 5-0 run, starting with a powerful hit from team captain Nica Celis and ending with an attack error from UE that sent UP to match point at 15-24.  UE was able to save two match points via an attack from their team captain Kayce Balingit, and a four-touch violation from UP, before Joan Monares finally sealed the victory with a surprise drop shot.

Outside hitter Joan Monares was named player of the game after scoring 15 points from 10 attacks, three service aces, and two kill blocks.  Her diagonal, Irah Jaboneta, who almost missed the warmup as she came from an Economics exam, was the 2nd leading scorer with 13 points, all from attacks. Meanwhile, setter Julia De Leon dished 14 excellent sets off the bench.

Van Bangayan was the lone Lady Warrior to score in double digits, scoring 13 points, all from attacks.  On the other hand, current leading blocker Riza Nogales was UE’s second leading scorer with 6 points, from 3 kill blocks and 3 attacks.

The Fighting Maroons will have a week to prepare for their next match when they face a team they previously defeated in the first round, the FEU Lady Tamaraws. The game is scheduled next Sunday, April 6, 1PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.  On the other hand, the UE Lady Warriors will try to punch their first win when they face the De La Salle Lady Spikers next Saturday, April 5, 3PM, at the same venue.

This UP Fighting Maroons Club post is made in partnership with Jiang Nan Hotpot.