The UP Fighting Maroons clawed themselves back from two sets down to stun the Ateneo Blue Eagles in UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball.
University of the Philippines was not to be denied as it staged a resounding comeback against Ateneo, 17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14, in their first-round meeting in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay Sunday, Feb. 22.
The Fighting Maroons snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Blue Eagles.
Their last victory over Ateneo was in the second-round of Season 80.
Niña Ytang scored 15 points as UP seized the momentum in a crucial stretch in the third set, where they erased a 13-15 deficit.
UP rode a quick 3-0 run punctuated by Jelai Gajero’s attack to grab the upperhand at 16-15.
Gajero closed out the third for the Fighting Maroons to extend the match, 25-22.
That turned the tide for the Katipunan-based squad, who were in cruise control in the fourth set as they led by nine, 18-9, until a 10-2 run made things interesting for the Blue Eagles.
But a crucial net error from Ateneo gifted UP the fourth set, 25-23, and tied the match at two sets apiece.
The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate during their match against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 88 women's volleyball tournament. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
In the fifth, the Fighting Maroons held steadfast amid a nip-and-tuck battle to the finish, with Fina Ali and Ytang sealing the deal.
UP thus improved to 2-0 while the Blue Eagles dropped to 0-2.
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Luisa Morales is a sportswriter 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.