The feeling of “first time” is always going to be irreplaceable for all of us. Whether it’s about the first day in college, first date with your partner or first day in a new place.
For me, I wanted my first UAAP Volleyball experience to be remembered forever, so I wrote some notes on what I’ve noticed.
Hi, I’m Brian! Welcome to this mini-diary of mine entitled “Rebanse Diaries”. Will this be a miniseries? No one knows yet.
Stock Knowledge
As a 23-year-old basketball-obsessed fan, I know very little about the sport of Volleyball. Though I do know a lot of “volleyball legends” here in the Philippines like Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes, Sisi Rondina, and Risa Sato as these names are heavily broadcasted in sports media channels
But have I seriously watched a full volleyball game? Nope. Never. Not even if it was during our “Sportsfest” back when I was still a student, I really didn’t focus much on it.
I do know how the pointing system is done by both teams, and it’s first to 3 sets in order to win the game with the maximum of going to Set #5. But other technicalities of the game? I have no further knowledge of.
Who are they? UE vs UST
The first match, last April 12, 2025, Saturday, featured the UE Lady Warriors and the UST Golden Tigresses at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. And honestly speaking, I don’t even know the players that were playing.
UST wore black and yellow-gold, while UE was wearing white and red jerseys. I had a nice view from my seat. The only player that I know that was playing on the court was Detdet Pepito from UST, based on how bubbly and colorful her personality is on social media. Aside from her, I had zero clue how good or bad the players I was watching at that time.
I also focused more on the technicality part of the game, by the way. I’ve noticed that teams are only allowed to touch the ball 3 times and on the third touch, it should be spiked on the opponent’s side in order to score.
One thing I also was able to take note of is the time limit in doing the service spike. I did not know it could only be done in a matter of 8 seconds. Just like in basketball, both the sideline and baseline out of bounds can only be done in 5 seconds or less; if not, it’ll be a turnover.
Other details I’ve identified are: Per Set, there are only 2 minutes to play. But those 2 minutes are just like the last 2 minutes of a basketball game. There are technical timeouts whenever a team has reached 8 points and 16 points per set, while the target score is 25 points. There are also 2 Timeouts per team in every set where it’s 1 minute each while it also takes up a 1 minute break after the end of the set.
But one surprising fact that I saw was teams switched courts after the end of the set!
Angeline Poyos was the one I’ve noticed who scored a lot of points in the game of UE versus UST. The game ended where UST won three straight sets against UE to win the game.
I didn’t even know that the Lady Warriors were winless until I searched it up on Google the team standings. With the win of the Golden Tigresses, they’ve inched closer to securing a Final Four appearance.
The game lasted like 2 hours, similar to an average 48-minute basketball game.
The Shaira Nitura Show: Adamson vs FEU
For the 2nd game, I really am excited for it as it features the Adamson University Soaring Falcons going up against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
I’ve heard a lot, and I mean a lot of great things about Adamson’s superstar rookie, Shaina Nitura. It was the time to validate how good of a player she is for a first-time UAAP watcher.
Spoilers: at the end of the game, she really did amaze me on how GREAT she is. I am officially an Adamson fan now.
Prior to this game, I found out that Adamson was already eliminated and won’t reach the Final Four anymore but can play spoilers on the FEU as they are the ones that need to win this game.
Seeing Shaina Nitura warm up made me feel chills to be honest with you. The “Alyssa Valdez” comparison is been going on for a while, and this is seen on is how she plays the game.
From what I know, she plays the position of “Outside Spiker”? I’m not really sure if I have used that term correctly, but she scored the most points in her team aside from her teammate Mary Ann Nuique. I’ve Googled the players who scored a lot of points.
FEU took Set 1, but then from Set 2 onwards, it was indeed the Shaira Nitura Show.
I was in awe whenever she scored the game as her powerful spikes could be heard in the whole Araneta Coliseum. Her leaping ability is incredibl,e and most importantly, the way she communicates with her teammates is the best attribute that she has as the Team Captain.
Adamson won the game, 3 sets to 1 and Adamson’s finest scored 30 points and broke the record for scoring record for a rookie, most 30 points games and single season scoring record.
Takeaways: I’m an Adamson Fan
I went inside the Araneta Coliseum not knowing what to expect, and I went out cheering for the Lady Falcons in their last 2 games in the UAAP Volleyball Season 87.
I am most certainly planning on watching their game against UP Fighting Maroons, as this would be their last game of the season.
Not going to lie. Shaina Nitura lowkey my type though? A woman with braces and eyeglasses? Damn that’s one beauty to admire.
