Niña Ytang and the UP Fighting Maroons never faltered in their five-set victory over NU in UAAP Season 88, even as the two-time defending champions held multiple match points in the last two sets.
The UP Fighting Maroons held firm in their unwavering belief, staging a thrilling five-set comeback against two-time defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs in their meeting of UAAP Season 88 Saturday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Despite going down 0-2, and facing multiple match points in the fourth and fifth sets, the Fighting Maroons simply refused to fold.
For veteran Niña Ytang, the Maroons were bound to show fight as they see this season as the perfect opportunity to breakthrough.
[RELATED: UAAP: UP stuns defending champion NU in five-set thriller]
"Of course, sobrang hirap po kasi galing po kasi kami sa talo. So yung confidence po talaga namin talaga, is masyadong mababa. That's why nahirapan talaga kami sa first and second set,” Ytang said.
"We were thinking 'kaya ba to?' but kailangan mag-show up. Kailangan talaga eh. Kasi amin to eh, atin to eh. This is our season. We are manifesting that this is gonna be our season so kailangan trabaho, trabaho, trabaho, walang titigil. Puso lang talaga.”
Aside from Ytang, who had 18 points to gain Player of the Game honors, UP had the steady contributions of multiple players in its winning comeback.
Among them were two newcomers in Casiey Dongallo and Jelai Gajero.
In the fourth set, where UP saved four match points, Ytang and Gajero connived for six points each.
Dongallo, meanwhile, was the consistent contributor throughout all five sets, finishing with a team-high 20 markers. Gajero finished with 19.
Bienne Bansil provided the last two points for the Fighting Maroons on her way to 10 markers.
Fighting, indeed
With UP now with a 3-1 record, Ytang praised the team's effort, making her decision to play a final fifth year all the more worth it.
"Sobrang proud po talaga. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, all day kaya namin ipakita na ganon kami. So dapat trabaho, trabaho walang titigil,” said an animated Ytang after the match.
"Nire-remind ko lang talaga sa kanila kapag may makitang bola itaas, walang lalapag na bola. I’m so so proud. All day,” she exclaimed.
UP hopes to ride the momentum of the win when the Fighting Maroons face the FEU Lady Tamaraws next Sunday, March 8, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meanwhile, the Lady Bulldogs came out with more than a loss as they now await the status of ace rookie Sam Cantada.
Cantada made her exit in the third set with an apparent injury.
NU will face the UE Lady Warriors on Wednesday, March 4, also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Vange Alinsug paced NU vs. the Fighting Maroons with 20 points.
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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.