GAMES SATURDAY
(Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m.– Ateneo vs. Adamson
5 p.m.– La Salle vs. UST
MIDDLE blocker Nina Ytang exploded for a career-high 30 points to propel University of the Philippines to a stunning five-set win over erstwhile undefeated and defending champion National University yesterday 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 in the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Ytang had 27 attack points, 27 of them on 42 attempts, and three blocks as the Fighting Maroons handed the Lady Bulldogs their first loss this season while scoring their fourth win in nine games.
The 5-foot-10 Ytang became the first middle blocker to score 30 points since NU star and Japan SV.League ace Jaja Minowa, formerly known as Jaja Santiago, did the feat in 2017 in Season 79. She also emerged as the first Fighting Maroon to reach 30 markers since Tots Carlos in Season 80 in 2018.
Outside spiker Joan Monares, who delivered the game-winning point, also starred for UP with 16 points.
Opposite hitter Kian Olango and middle blocker Louis Bansil combined for 20 markers while open spiker Irah Jaboneta tallied a triple-double of 10 points, 19 excellent receptions and 13 digs.
“Nuong umpisa, nag-shuffle tayo ng tao kasi minsan nawawala, minsan may maganda tayong run tapos mawawala. Ang dami paring inconsistencies. Mabilis lang ding mag-adjust iyong mga players sa instructions and then, of course, we tried to minimize iyong output ng NU. Nag-work kasi tulong-tulong talaga sila,” said coach Benson Bocboc.
“Simula sa service, galing sa block, tapos depensa, tapos ka-counter, ganun lang naman iyong volleyball so tyinaga nila, nakuha nila. Kita nyo naman, iyong medyo natalo tayo sobrang down talaga ng energy pero buti nakabangon. Siguro natuto narin kami sa kakulangan namin sa Ateneo. Magandang pagbawi,” added Bocboc, referring to their last game where they lost to Ateneo.
In the final set, the Fighting Maroons matched the Lady Bulldogs shot-for-shot and even took a 10-9 lead. NU regained the lead 12-11, thanks to a kill block from Alyssa Solomon.
From there, UP shut down NU while scoring four straight points to score the big win.
Skipper Bella Belen’s triple-double outing of 21 points, 13 digs and 12 excellent receptions failed to lift NU, along with Solomon’s 19 markers, Vange Alinsug’s 16 points and Erin Pangilinan’s 11 markers.
The Fighting Maroons tangle with the UE Lady Warriors on Sunday, while the Lady Bulldogs hope to bounce back against the FEU Lady Tamaraws at the Big Dome.
