The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons once again pulled a shocker, this time as they handed the first loss to the defending champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs.
Despite the loss, the Lady Bulldogs are still on top of the standings with an 8-1 win-loss record, closely followed by the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws with 6-3 card. The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers are tied at the third and fourth spot with an identical 5-3 record.
With the win, the Fighting Maroons rose to the fifth spot with a 4-5 record, followed by the Adamson University Soaring Falcons and the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles with an identical 3-5 record. At the bottom of the standings are the University of the East Lady Red Warriors, who are still winless in nine games.
Since the Lady Bulldogs suffered their first defeat, there would be no stepladder semifinals. Instead, the number one ranked team will face the number four ranked team, while the number two ranked team will face the number three ranked team. Both the number one and number two ranked teams have a twice-to-beat advantage.
Here are the other things you missed on yesterday’s game day of the UAAP Volleyball Tournament.
8-1
The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons handed the defending champions, the National University Lady Bulldogs, its first loss of the season and stopped its unbeaten run after eight games.
The Fighting Maroons pulled off a shocking 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 upset against the Lady Bulldogs. Niña Ytang exploded with 30 points on 27 attacks and three blocks, while Joan Monares added 16 points. Kianne Olango, Irah Jaboneta, and Bienne Bansin added 10 points apiece.
For the side of the Lady Bulldogs, Belen led her team in a losing effort with 21 points on 16 attacks and five aces, while Alyssa Solomon had 19 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and an ace. Vange Alinsug contributed 16 points, while Erin Pangilinan had 11.
Ytang became the first middle blocker to score 30 points since Jaja Santiago did it in April 2017. She was also two points shy of breaking Tots Carlos’s record as most points scored by a UP Fighting Maroon.
Aside from these facts, the Fighting Maroons also ended their seven-game, nine-game losing streak against the Lady Bulldogs. Before this season’s win, the last time the Diliman-based squad won against the Jhocson-based team was in the second round of Season 80 in April 2018.
“Speechless ako. Bilog talaga ang bola. Binigay lang namin talaga lahat, e. Sabi nga namin nung fifth set, ‘Dito na, malayo na tayo kaya bakit pa tayo susuko?’ Linaban lang talaga namin, tulungan at tiyaga lang sa loob ng court,” Ytang said after the game.
With the win, the Fighting Maroons improved to a 4-5 record, while the Lady Bulldogs are still on top of the standings with an 8-1 card. Since the Lady Bulldogs recorded their first loss, the teams avoided a step-ladder semifinals in the playoffs.
The University of the Philippines will next face the University of the East Lady Red Warriors on Sunday, March 30, at 1 pm at the Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, the National University will try to bounce back against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws at 3 pm on the same day.
8
Eight players of the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws scored a point in their 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 victory against the University of the East Lady Red Warriors on Wednesday, March 26.
Jazlyn Ann Ellarina led the team with 17 points in 12 attacks, two blocks, and three aces, while Gerzel Petallo and Chenie Tagaod had 15 points apiece. Faida Bakanke added seven points, while Christine Ubaldo, Clarisse Loresco, Karyll Miranda, and Jean Asis each scored a point.
For the side of the Lady Red Warriors, KC Cepada led the team in a losing effort with 13 points in 11 attacks, a block, and an ace, while Nessa Bangayan scored 10 points.
After the game, Lady Tamaraws head coach Tina Salak was happy they got the win, but also noted that there were things her team needed to improve.
She said, “Expected naman na lalaban ang UE kasi hindi naman nababago ang spirit ng UE pagdating sa games. Eventually, nagkakaroon naman kami ng adjustments, nakakasunod naman ang players. Sa game, nakuha naman namin ‘yung gusto naming win but syempre, may opportunities pa rin na nami-miss namin.”
With the win, the Lady Tamaraws broke a three-way tie between them, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, as they rose to the second spot with a 6-3 win-loss record. Meanwhile, the Lady Red Warriors are still winless in nine games.
The Far Eastern University will take on the National University Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, March 30, at 3 pm at the Araneta Coliseum. Before that, the University of the East will face the University of the Philippines earlier that day at 1 pm.
