The UP Fighting Maroons leaned on Nigerian spiker Olayemi Raheem to open their campaign with a five-set, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-11, victory over the UE Red Warriors in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
In the fifth set, the Red Warriors showed life after falling behind, 2-10. They managed to trim the deficit to three, 10-13, but Fighting Maroons sophomores Raheem and Tommy Castrodes made sure to seal the victory, 15-11.
“In terms of polishing, I guess we need to work on how we keep our game consistent and how we keep ourselves composed every time, especially in how we manage our emotions,” said UP head coach Carlo Cabatingan.
“In terms of skills, this is the UAAP, so I think everyone is skillful and physically gifted. I think the real game here is the mind.”
Raging Raheem Powers UP Fighting Maroons
Raheem led the Fighting Maroons with 30 points built on 29 attacks and a block, while Castrodes added 15 markers along with 9 excellent digs and 9 excellent receptions. Milven Francisco contributed 14 points, while Angelo Lipata finished with 13.
For the Red Warriors, Raquim Joefe Aceron scored a team-high 26 points from 23 attacks, 2 aces, and 1 block, on top of 10 excellent receptions and 8 excellent digs. Jan Libot chipped in 15 points, while Xjhann Viandre Camaymayan had 11.
The Fighting Maroons aim to build on their opening-day triumph when they face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, February 22, still at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. On the other hand, the Red Warriors will try to bounce back as they take on the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday, February 18, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
