UP ends 8-year skid vs Ateneo; DLSU remains unbeaten in UAAP S88 women’s volleyball

University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Fighting Maroons snapped an eight-year drought against Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Lady Eagles with a five-set comeback, while De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Archers held off University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses’ late rally to remain unbeaten in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena, Feb. 22.

Snapping an 11-game skid to the Ateneo de Manila University, the University of the Philippines made sure to surge back when it mattered most, waylaying their fellow Katipunan rival via a 17–25, 19–25, 25–22, 25–23, 16–14 comeback at the MOA Arena, Feb. 22.

The triumph quenched UP’s winning drought against Ateneo for over eight years, with their last win notched in the second round of UAAP Season 80 in 2018.

Though the maroon-clad troops caught fire, the blue-and-white volleybelles refused to wilt away in the crucial fourth canto, orchestrating a 14–5 blitz thanks to multiple Fighting Maroons’ mischiefs and down-the-line attacks from rookie Ana Hermosura to tie the game at a 23-all deadlock.

However, two Blue Eagles errors gifted the crucial fourth set to their foes, forcing a do-or-die set.

Both teams opened the final frame with a rusty start, exchanging freebies via reception errors to equalize the game at 4-all.

UP rained down at all angles with their offensive firepower, bulldozing through the wretched-inside defense of Ateneo to lift the score to a 7–4 cushion.

Yet, Ateneo’s triad of Hermosura, Jlo Delos Santos, and Zey Pacia combined efforts on both ends on the court to crawl back from the dead to a crucial 14-all tally.

Fighting Maroons’ Fina Ali fired a crosscourt attack to edge out their opposition, with Niña Ytang delivering the game-winning block to seal the deal.

Irah Jaboneta led the charge on UP’s side with 14 points, eight digs, and seven receptions, with Ali stuffing up 13 markers to bolster her team’s offensive charge.

Delos Santos finished with 21 points and 11 digs for the Blue Eagles alongside Hermosora’s 19 markers, but it was not enough to turn the tides as they are still looking for their first win of the season.

DLSU’s unscathed sweep

Another winning streak was extended after the DLSU Lady Archers fended off UST Growling Tigers’ late-game surge, 25–14, 25–15, 26–24, to barge into the winning column.

The España-based squad went the extra mile just as the Green Archers were en route to a dominant straight-set triumph, crawling to a 22-all score behind Angge Poyos and Xyza Gula joining forces.

A DLSU attack miscue and a Gula down-the-line spike gave the Growling Tigers the upper hand with a 24–22 cushion, but Lady Spikers captain Shevana Laput quickly retaliated with two crucial blocks to tie the game at 24-all.

Laput delivered another block to complete the comeback and shut the door on UST.

Opposite hitter Laput garnered 21 points from 17 attacks and four blocks to pave DLSU’s offensive charge, with Angel Canino added 13 markers.

Poyos led UST with 16 points, the lone Growling Tiger in double figures.

UP and DLSU both improved to 2–0 and will face each other on Feb. 25, while Ateneo and UST will meet on the same day.