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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider With a rousing win over Ateneo, here's how UP stays in Final Four hunt

With a rousing win over Ateneo, here's how UP stays in Final Four hunt

Published Apr 8, 2026 04:48 pm

At A Glance

  • With its 5-6 slate, the Maroons need to sweep their last three assignments against University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and Adamson, and hope the teams above them slip to keep their semis hope alive.
UP Fighting Maroons (UAAP Media)
UP Fighting Maroons (UAAP Media)
University of the Philippines (UP) went all out in dismantling also-ran Ateneo, 25-20, 25-14, 25-23, to stay in the Final Four hunt in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, April 8.
Veterans Niña Ytang and Irah Jaboneta, who anchored the offense with 18 and 12 points, respectively, were candid about their intent to lead the Fighting Maroons back to the semifinals in their final playing year.
“Hindi pa tapos ang laban pero hindi ganun kadali kasi naghahabol kami. So, each game talaga parang last game namin lagi, ganun ‘yong mindset namin lagi,” said Jaboneta.
“Sabi nga ni coach Fabio ‘di dapat kami mag-slow down, kung anong pinapakita sa training dapat ganun din sa laro,” she added.
“Lagi lang naming iisipin na dapat ipanalo namin ‘yong every game namin starting today… at the same time, i-enjoy ‘yong bawat laro… since this our last year and to enjoy, and hopefully, makapasok kami sa Final Four,” Ytang, for her part, stressed.
With its 5-6 slate, the Maroons need to sweep their last three assignments against University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University and Adamson, and hope the teams above them slip to keep their semis hope alive.
It would be easier said than done, especially since they are still reeling from the loss of top gun Casiey Dongallo to ACL injury last month.
On paper, UP also bowed to those three teams in the first round.
“We’re 3-1 when Casiey is healthy and the team is healthy, we’re doing well, we went third in the standings, so the team is there” said UP head coach Fabio Menta. “Of course, if you lose Casiey… it’s difficult. We have to reorganize our zone 4.”
“It’s a huge technical tactical change… as you see against NU, without Dongallo we played the same level. You might consider it as easy but you still have to win it. Today the same thing. The team is changing and improving day by day, if it’s too late I don’t know,” he added. “Because we’re here to fight until the last minute.”
UP’s last semis appearance happened a decade ago in Season 78, where Tots Carlos and Isa Molde powered the pack.

Related Tags

UP Fighting Maroons UAAP Season 88 Nina Ytang UST Golden Tigresses FEU Lady Tamaraws NU Lady Bulldogs La Salle Lady Spikers Ateneo Blue Eagles
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