Third-year players Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares have high hopes for the young guns of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons after the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses eliminated the team from Final Four contention after a commanding 25-20, 25-21, 25-18 victory on Wednesday, April 23.
A rookie-laden team, the Fighting Maroons surpassed expectations when they defeated Final Four-bound Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, National University Lady Bulldogs, and the De La Salle University Lady Spikers in the elimination rounds.
Having six wins, with one last game to be played against the Adamson University Lady Falcons, the Fighting Maroons have a chance to finish the season in fifth place, their best record since UAAP Season 81.
“We fell short sa game ngayon pero looking on the brighter side, there’s progress sa team. It’s better to have that. We’re in a much better place than last year. ‘Yun nga, mas okay na ‘yung may progress kami this season compared to last season, and we’re proud of that kasi we worked hard din coming into and preparing for this season,” Monares said after their heartbreaking loss against the Golden Tigresses.
Jaboneta added, “Ang laki ng improvement at pinagbago ng team namin compared sa mga nakaraang season. Masaya rin kasi naangat na ‘yung standings and malaking bagay na ‘yun sa amin. Ako mas malungkot talaga kasi nandoon na, e, pero sobrang saya pa rin kasi with Coach Boc, ilang months pa lang kami magkakasama, at ang laki na ng progress ng team, ang laking bagay ‘non.”
Benson Bocboc, a former deputy of La Salle’s Ramil de Jesus, took over the reins of the Fighting Maroons from Oliver Almadro in October 2024. In the next season, the Fighting Maroons will be joined by Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, Kizzie Madriaga, Shamel Fernandez, and Jenalyn Umayam from the University of the East, who joined their coach Obet Vital to UP before the start of the tournament.
Also part of the team would be rookies Kianne Olango, Bienne Bansil, and Jaz Manguilimotan.
Monares reminded the rookies, “I think sana they take this as motivation for next year kasi ‘yung mga rookies namin, malalaki rin ‘yung potential. I know na they’re gonna do better next season than this season. I hope na ‘yung mga bata, ma-continue nila ‘yung sinimulan namin dito. Teamwork pa rin at the end of the day, it does not matter who’s playing inside the court and kung sino nasa outside ng court, basta tulong-tulong.”
Jaboneta ended, “Sa team naman, gamitin nila ito as a motivation and inspiration na madadala nila at mapakita nila ‘yung kaya nila at ‘yung laban nila for UP lagi.”
The Fighting Maroons will end their season as they face Shaina Nitura and the Adamson University Lady Falcons on Sunday, April 27, at 1 pm.
