UAAP: UP avoids elimination, upsets La Salle in women’s volleyball
UP Fighting Maroons during a victory over La Salle Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines breathed life into its flat-lining Final Four hopes in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday.
Facing elimination, the Fighting Maroons kept their season alive after scoring a major upset over La Salle, 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: UAAP: UP rise a result of years of hard work, says Irah Jaboneta
FINAL: UP (6-6) takes down La Salle (8-4) with a come-from-behind 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14 win to keep its Final Four hopes alive.#UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/NQrf7ieX3M
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 13, 2025
“Maganda yung nagawa. well may mga parts na nawawala sa plano so medyo napapasigaw tayo dun pero bumabalik naman,” UP coach Benson Bocboc said. “Simple lang naman yung laro eh, susunod lang naman sa game plan and I think magco-connect lahat.”
Joan Monares powered UP with 16 points while Kassie Doering and Kianne Olango backed her up with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Niña Ytang added 11.
The Fighting Maroons’ balanced attack was made possible by Jaz Manguilimotan’s 24 excellent sets as UP improved to 6-6 just behind fourth-running Far Eastern University (8-6).
With big things at stake, the Maroons refused to give up despite being down a set after shocking the favorites in the extended opening frame. It was a neck-and-neck affair in the fourth frame that saw UP hold on to force a decider.
READ: UAAP: UP reaches .500 mark after easing past also-ran UE
UP coach Benson Bocboc, Kassy Doering, Joan Monares, and Kianne Olango after overcoming La Salle. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/xaZsKQvCdi
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 13, 2025
Tied at 14, Doering rose for a quick hit before Monares soared for the game-clinching hit that went straight to Shevana Laput’s way.
Laput anchored the Lady Spikers’ offense with a game-high 27 points, Canino chipped in 25 points while Amie Provido added 12 points. Mikole Reyes dished out 30 excellent sets for La Salle, which is now tied with UST in second place with similar 8-4 slates.
UP has won three of its five games in the second round, including a another massive upset over defending champion and top seed National University in five sets.
It doesn’t get easier for UP with another contender University of Santo Tomas next in its schedule before taking on Adamson and its super rookie Shaina Nitura.
