The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons pulled off a major upset against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers as they kept their Final Four hopes alive.

A day before the upset, Adamson University Lady Soaring Falcons rookie team captain Shiana Nitura became the second player to score more than 300 points in a single UAAP Season after Alyssa Valdez. She also broke Valdez’s record of 312 points.

The National University Lady Bulldogs still hold the top spot with an 11-2 win-loss record and are the only team qualified for the final four as of writing time. The De La Salle University Lady Spikers and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses are tied in the second and third spots with an identical 8-4 win-loss record.

The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are still in contention with a 6-6 win-loss record, now in fifth place.

The Adamson University Lady Falcons, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, and the University of the East Lady Red Warriors were eliminated from the final four.

Here’s everything you missed from last weekend’s games of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

4

Four players from the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons scored in double digits as they pulled an upset against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14, on Sunday, April 13.

Joan Monares scored a team-high 16 points in 15 attacks, while Kassandra Doering contributed 15 points in 12 attacks and three blocks. Kianne Olango recorded 14 points, while Nina Ytang added 11 points.

For the Lady Spikers, Shevana Laput scored a game-high 27 points in 20 attacks, four blocks, and three aces, while team captain Angel Canino contributed 25 points in 22 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Amie Provido added 12 points.

After the game, Fighting Maroons head coach Benson Bocboc admitted that their victory wasn’t perfect but they would take it. He said, “Maganda ‘yung nagawa. May mga parts na nawawala sa plano, so medyo napapasigaw tayo doon, pero bumabalik naman. Simple lang naman ‘yung laro, e, susunod lang naman sa game plan, and I think, magko-connect lahat doon. Roller coaster na naman, pero good thing na nag-work sila in crucial times ‘yung mga ini-expect na gagawa.”

With the win, the Fighting Maroons kept their Final Four hopes alive as they improved to a 6-6 win-loss record, while the De La Salle University Lady Spikers fell to an 8-4 win-loss record.

The University of the Philippines will face the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Wednesday, April 23, at 1 pm. Later that day, the De La Salle University will take on the Adamson University Lady Falcons at 3 pm.

37

Shaina Nitura exploded for 37 points as she broke the UAAP record in Adamson University Soaring Falcons 14-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-22 win against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, April 12.

Nitura became the second player to score over 300 points in a single season after Alyssa Valdez did it in Season 77. Nitura recorded 31 attacks, five blocks, and an ace, while May Ann Nuique and Frances Mordi contributed 11 points apiece.

For the Lady Tamaraws, Gerzel Petallo scored a team-high 18 points in 15 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Chenie Tagaod added 12 points.

Although the Lady Soaring Falcons are officially out of the final four contention, Nitura still saw the silver lining in her achievements. She said after the game, “If I would reflect sa napagdaanan ng team, I’m very happy at very thankful kasi sobrang laking tulong nito for our upcoming seasons. Grateful ako na kahit hindi kami makakapasok sa Final Four, pero ‘yung learnings na makukuha namin, sobrang laking foundation nito for us. Very grateful pero hindi pa tapos.”

The Lady Falcons improved to a 5-7 win-loss record, while the Lady Tamaraws fell to 8-5.

Adamson University will face the De La Salle University Lady Spikers on Wednesday, April 23, at 3 pm. Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University will try to bounce back against the Lady Spikers on Saturday,  April 26, at 3 pm.

16, 10, 13

National University Lady Bulldogs team captain Bella Belen recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 10 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions in the team’s 25-16, 25-15, 25-21 victory against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Sunday, April 13.

Erin Pangilinan added 12 points in seven attacks, four blocks, and an ace, while Alyssa Solomon added 11 points in her first game back after suffering a mild left ankle sprain.

For the Blue Eagles, no player scored in double digits as Alexis Miner and Lyann de Guzman were both limited to nine points.

Now that they are already assured of the top spot, Lady Bulldogs head coach Sherwin Meneses reiterated how important for the bench players to help the team. He said, “Napakahalaga na naghe-help ‘yung team, lalo na pa-semis na, so ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-importante kasi siyempre, mahihirap na ‘yung mga games. Happy kami and thankful na magiging okay ‘yung takbo namin sa remaining games.”

With the win, the Lady Bulldogs are now assured of the top spot in the final four and the twice-to-beat advantage with an 11-2 win-loss record. Meanwhile, the Blue Eagles fell to a 4-9 record.

The National University will end their eliminations against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses on Sunday, April 27, at 5 pm. Meanwhile, the Ateneo de Manila University will take on the University of the East Lady Red Warriors on Saturday, April 26, at 3 pm.

46

The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses showed their attacking prowess as they recorded 46 attack points in their quick 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 victory against the University of the East Lady Red Warriors on Saturday, April 12. In comparison, the Lady Red Warriors only had 19 attack points.

Angeline Poyos led the Golden Tigresses with 12 points, while Regina Jurado contributed 10 points in nine attacks and one ace.

For the Lady Red Warriors, no player scored in double digits as Nessa Bangayan was limited to just six, while Riza Nogales had five.

After the game, Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes said that his team respected their opponent even if they were still winless. He said, “First, siyempre ‘yung respeto sa team ng UE, nandoon naman kaya pinaghandaan talaga namin. Ang maganda rito, nabigyan namin ng exposure ‘yung ibang players namin at nakapag-deliver naman. Hopefully, magamit nila itong game na ito para sa next games namin.”

With the win, the Golden Tigresses are still in contention in the final four and still have a chance to get the second twice-to-beat advantage with an 8-4 win-loss record, while the Lady Red Warriors are still winless in 13 games.

The University of Santo Tomas will face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, April 23, at 1 pm. Meanwhile, the University of the East will take on the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles on Saturday, April 26, at 1 pm.