UP’s Niña Ytang celebrates during an upset win over NU in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Even University of the Philippines star Niña Ytang was surprised the Fighting Maroons upset defending champion National University on Wednesday. But that didn’t mean Ytang believed it couldn’t be done. In fact, she made it happen.
Ytang delivered a career-game 30 points to carry UP past erstwhile-undefeated NU, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12, in the second round of the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
The fourth-year Ytang, who dropped 27 kills and three blocks, became the highest-scoring Fighting Maroon since Tots Carlos and the first middle blocker to record 30 points since former NU standout Jaja Santiago in Season 79.
READ: UAAP: UP takes down NU in women’s volleyball stunner
Niña Ytang talks about UP’s biggest win of the #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/IdqCRMZT2A
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 26, 2025
“Honestly, we didn’t expect to win. We were just focused on fighting and playing through the game. When we got that last point, I didn’t know what to do—should I cry, be happy, or shout? The result was such a surprise. It just goes to show that anything is possible, and you just have to hold on,” Ytang told reporters in Filipino at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan after leading UP to its first win over NU since 2018.
Ytang may have seemed unfazed going up against the stacked Lady Bulldogs squad, which had won eight in a row heading into the game, but she had jitters in the fourth set before coach Benson Bocboc helped her get her act together and lead by example to her teammates.
“Before I arrived, Ytang is Ytang. If you have a history of scoring, then just keep it going. I didn’t start for her, she did it on her own,” Bocboc said. “We’re just here to support her so she can stay solid and not struggle too much when she’s in front. When she gets the ball, she knows what to do to score because she’s not always in front. It’s looking good. There’s more to come, a lot more to see.”
READ: UAAP: Niña Ytang returns to help UP notch much needed win
“Coach pulled me aside and told me not to show any weakness on the court because it would bring the whole team down. He said I was one of the players they were counting on, so I had to keep going and show the team that we could win,” Ytang said.
“Of course, discipline is key on the court. Our coach always says it’s not about individual play; we need to work together. We’re really grateful to our coaches for guiding us, and we help each other out as teammates. It’s all about patience and hard work on the court.”