UAAP: UP takes down NU in women’s volleyball stunner
UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after stunning NU Lady Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines (UP) proved defending champion National University (NU) isn’t invincible after all.
Coming from a tight marathon loss to Ateneo in their last game, the Fighting Maroons carved out a different outcome by stunning the Lady Bulldogs, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The loss was NU’s first after winning its first eight games in the tournament.
READ: UAAP: Ateneo extends dominance over UP with five-set escape
NO SWEEP!
FINAL: UP (4-5) stuns the erstwhile-unbeaten NU (8-1) in five sets, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12.#UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QcJi9ktSkb
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 26, 2025
Niña Ytang led UP’s upset win with a career-high 30 points made up of 27 points and three blocks, the main driving force that powered UP to its fifth win in nine games for solo fifth place.
“Speechless. Bilog po talaga ang bola. Andun na kami sabi nga namin nung pag-start ng fifth set ‘Ito na, malayo na tayo. Why not, bakit pa tayo susuko?’ Nilaban lang po talaga namin, tulungan lang talaga, tiyaga lang talaga sa loob ng court,” Ytang said.
Ytang scored the most points by a Fighting Maroon since Tots Carlos’ 32-point outing on Feb. 28, 2018 in Season 80. She also became the first middle blocker to score this much since former NU star Jaja Santiago eight years ago.
But it wasn’t just Ytang who got the job done for the Maroons. Joan Monares delivered 16 attack points while rookie Kianne Olango, Irah Jaboneta and Bienna Bansil all finished with 10 points apiece.
“I feel great kasi nanalo kami but we’ve been saying in the past, it’s all teamwork. Di kami gumagalaw magisa, for ourself, gumagalaw kami as a team and tulong tulong. So I think the team deserves this win,” Monares said.
READ: UAAP: NU beats La Salle anew to go 8-0 in women’s volleyball
UP coach Benson Bocboc, Niña Ytang, and Joan Monares after pulling off the massive upset. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/lmjBgorIZZ
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 26, 2025
Jaboneta was also present on defense with 13 excellent digs and 19 excellent receptions. Jaz Manguilimotan dished out 17 excellent sets.
Trailing in the fourth set, UP turned to Ytang, who helped the Maroons stretch the match to a deciding frame.
Ytang again came through in the fifth set while Monares provided the game-sealing hit that sent UP into a wild and emotional celebration.
Bella Belen paced NU with 21 points, Alyssa Solomon contributed 19 points and Vange Alinsug 16 points. Alinsug also had 13 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions while Lams Lamina dished out 16 excellent sets.
Shaira Jardio caught 23 excellent digs and 17 excellent receptions
