Joan Monares rises for a hit against two FEU defenders to lift UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
University of the Philippines notched a second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament after taming Far Eastern University, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, Wednesday night at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-0, with Joan Monares leading the Fighting Maroons again with 19 points from 17 attacks and two aces and rookie Kianne Olango adding 17 points built on 13 attacks, three blocks and an ace.
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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round
“So far, it’s good. We tried something, and it worked. Let’s see if they can adapt more to the defensive system, then we’ll go from there. We’ll take it step by step, depending on the teams’ adjustments,” coach Benson Bocboc said.
Niña Ytang contributed 15 points, four of which coming from her net defense, and Irah Jaboneta added 11 points, apart from 12 excellent receptions, thanks to Jaz Manguilimotan’s 17 excellent sets to lift UP to a 2-0 start.
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UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
After a strong opening salvo, FEU failed to capitalize on a gritty 8-3 run late in the second frame as the Maroons leveled the match at one set apiece, thanks to a kill by Monares.
READ: UAAP: UP staves off UE rally in women’s volleyball opener
The Tamaraws had a chance to force a fifth set after keeping UP trailing for most of the fourth frame but a momentum-changing ace by the Maroons tied the game at 19-all.
Mitzi Panangin brought it to another deadlock before the Maroons created some cushion with two consecutive hits, 22-20. Olango scored on a big block of Chenie Tagaod for the match point and after a net error Ytang closed the deal with a quick hit.
Clarisse Loresco paced the Lady Tamaraws with 11 points and Tagaod had 10 points. Tin Ubaldo orchestrated Far Eastern U’s offense with only a single hitter not scoring to no avail with 17 excellent sets.
FEU absorbed a first loss in its two games after a big opening victory against University of Santo Tomas over the opening weekend.
UP guns for a third consecutive victory when it faces Ateneo on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena before the Tamaraws look to bounce back against National University in the later game.
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“Yun nga, nasabi niyo nga na kulang po sila sa player pero hindi dapat namin isipin namin na ganon. Kailangan ibigay parin ang lahat, labanan ng puso sa laro and lahat walang ititira,” Ytang said.
