Niña Ytang is using her final year of eligibility with UP in UAAP Season 88, looking to guide the Fighting Maroons to a long-awaited Final Four stint.
Niña Ytang is raring to go for her final year with the UP Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 88.
Ytang delayed her plans to go professional, and instead subscribed to the potential of the Diliman-based team in breaking through after a decade-long drought of Final Four appearances.
Following a close call last season, Ytang believes that there is a lot to be optimistic about in this campaign.
“I believe so [na worth it]. I hope so. Kasi naniniwala talaga ako na yung future ng team namin ngayon is maganda, and I want to be part of that,” Ytang told One Sports.
“Gusto ko maging part sa panibagong UP na maipapakita namin sa season.”
Ytang is joined by formidable holdovers like new skipper Joan Monares and rising talent Irah Jaboneta.
[RELATED: Joan Monares takes new role in stride as UP Fighting Maroons chase UAAP Final Four]
But the team is also welcoming new faces — highlighted by transferees Casiey Dongallo, Jelai Gajero, and Kizzie Madriaga.
A new head coach is also in the mix.
“Hindi naman siya ganon ka-bagong system kasi nung last season pumasok na po siya samin and though may mga bagong binigay siya, but, hindi po siya ganon ka-hirap and hindi siya ganon kadali na gawin agad agad, na iapply yun,” Ytang said of new coach Fabio Menta.
Despite some challenges, Ytang is aware that the team will need to power through, especially if they want to clinch their first Final Four spot since UAAP Season 78.
“Kailangan talaga namin siyang isapuso at isaisip yung bagong sistema kasi well yun din kailangan para mareach yung connection and yung goal namin talaga," she said.
"So, tinanggap talaga namin ng buong puso’t isip. Though hindi talaga siya perfect but we’re working on it.”
No regret mindset
While the team was willing to learn from falling short of their goal last season, Ytang said that the team has also since understood that there are new chances ahead of them.
Rather than focusing on what was already spent, the 24-year-old is choosing to focus on what they can control.
“First, yung ginawa po namin nag-reflect kami, san kami nagkulang, ano pang pwede naming gawin, ano dapat ginawa namin. Pero, past na yun eh. So kailangan mag-move on na kami and look forward sa kung anong nasa harap namin and that is Season 88 and super excited kami,” Ytang said.
“We worked on our connection, lalo na don sa endgame po namin and sa pasa namin. Lahat, lahat po winork namin kasi ngayon talaga kailangan ma-reach yung goal eh. Yeah, it’s not easy but I hope it’s gonna worth it.”
Ytang and the UP Fighting Maroons first test their mettle in their opening game of UAAP Season 88 against the UE Lady Warriors on Saturday, February 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.