The UP Fighting Maroons fended off a late surge from the UE Lady Red Warriors, 25-12, 25-9, 21-25, 25-19, to open their campaign on a high note in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.
After dominating the first two sets, UP encountered resistance in the third frame as Khy Cepada, Van Bangayan, and Bea Zamudio took charge for UE, powering the Lady Warriors to a 25-21 set win to extend the match.
UP Regains Control After Third-Set Hump
The Lady Warriors carried their momentum into the fourth set, racing to an early 7-4 lead. However, the Fighting Maroons quickly regrouped behind Irah Jaboneta, Jelai Gejaro, Niña Ytang, and Kianne Olango to regain control and secure the victory—handing new head coach Fabio Menta his first UAAP win.
“It’s more mental. We were playing very well in the beginning. Second set was very smooth… We need to grow up,” said Menta, reflecting on the lapse in the third set. “We allowed the girls to be distracted in one moment, but it won’t happen again. Trust me because they’re gonna hear me later.”
Ytang and Jaboneta led the Fighting Maroons with 14 points each, while Casiey Dongalo and Olango chipped in 13 markers apiece.
For the Lady Warriors, Bangayan paced the team with 19 points built on 16 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while Zamudio added 14. Cepada contributed 10 points.
UP returns to action on February 22 for a showdown with Ateneo de Manila University at the same venue. Meanwhile, UE aims to rebound when it takes on Far Eastern University on Wednesday, February 18, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
