University of the Philippines succumbs in four sets,  25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24, at the hands of Far Eastern University, a team they previously defeated during their first round encounter in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Sunday afternoon at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

With this defeat, UP dropped to a 5-6 win-loss record, remaining at fifth place, but are still in the hunt for a final four spot,  just behind UST and FEU, who both have a 7-4 record.  Defending champions NU still lead the standings at 9-2, following their defeat against Adamson (4-7) earlier, while DLSU is second at 8-3. 

Both teams exchanged points during the first set, with no team having a clear lead over the other.  Tied at 20-all, FEU staged a 5-1 run to grab the set win, with senior outside hitter Chenie Tagaod delivering the winning attack.

Gaining momentum from their first set win, the Tamaraws cruised through the second set, taking advantage of UP’s shaky reception and unforced errors.  The Morayta-based squad also out-attacked and out-blocked UP during the second set, scoring 14 attack points versus UP’s 10, and tallying 3 kill blocks versus the lone block point of UP from Niña Ytang.

The favors shifted to Diliman during the third set, which forced FEU to make several substitutions, fielding in Lovely Lopez, Karyll Miranda, and Mitzi Panangin in place of veterans Chenie Tagaod, Tin Ubaldo, and Jean Asis.  UP played an almost flawless set, after only committing one unforced error, versus the Tamaraws’ six.  

Meanwhile, the fourth set started slow for UP, with the Tamaraws having an early lead at 12-3. However, the Fighting Maroons launched a 9-0 run, beginning with a service error from FEU’s Jaz Ellarina.  The steady service of Julia De Leon, and the attacking prowess of Kianne Olango were instrumental during this run, as the team was able to tie the game at 12-all.  

UP and FEU exchanged points until the second technical timeout, where UP was leading at 16-15.  UP mustered a 4-1 run to grab a comfortable 20-16 lead, but FEU countered with their own 4-0 run to tie the match at 20-all.  FEU eventually reached the match point first at 22-24, but UP was able to save two match points courtesy of an attack from Irah Jaboneta, and a kill block from Kassy Doering to even the score at 24.  However, an attack error from Kianne Olango, and a block point from Tin Ubaldo cost the Fighting Maroons this match.

FEU’s foreign student athlete Faida Bakanke was the player of the match, after scoring 20 big points, from 17 attacks and 3 kill blocks.  Outside hitter Gerzel Petallo meanwhile had a triple-double performance, logging in 14 points, 10 digs, and 13 excellent receptions.

Wing hitters Kianne Olango, Joan Monares, and Irah Jaboneta were the top scorers for UP, each contributing 13 points.  Middle blocker Niña Ytang delivered 11 points from 4 kill blocks, 2 service aces, and 5 attacks.

With their final four hopes on the line, the Fighting Maroons will try to pull an upset against the De La Salle Lady Spikers on Sunday, April 13, 1PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.  On the other hand, the FEU Lady Tamaraws will try to secure their final four bid when they face the hungry Adamson Lady Falcons on Saturday, April 12, 3PM, at the same venue.

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