 |
| Irah Jaboneta scores on an attack. Peter Baltazar |
PASAY—The University of the Philippines authored a statement victory on Sunday, completing a thrilling reverse sweep against Ateneo de Manila University, 17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14, in the first round of UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
More than just a comeback, the win carried historical weight.
It marked UP’s first triumph over Ateneo since UAAP Season 80, Round 2—ending a long drought in the Katipunan rivalry.
It also came in UP’s second game of the season, making the gritty performance even more telling of the Fighting Maroons’ early campaign.
Ateneo imposed its will early.
The Blue Eagles stormed to a 4-0 start in the opening set and quickly stretched the gap to 7-1, leaving UP scrambling to find rhythm.
JLo Delos Santos and Ana Hermosura led Ateneo’s charge with six and four points, respectively.
UP leaned on Irah Jaboneta, who scored four, but Ateneo remained firmly in control. Zey Pacia capped the set with a sharp down-the-line attack for a 25-17 finish.
After going scoreless in Set 1, Casiey Dongallo opened the scoring, and it was UP that briefly seized control, entering the first technical timeout ahead 8-6 behind Dongallo’s spark.
Ateneo answered behind Donna De Leon and Hermosura, edging UP, 16-15, at the second technical break.
UP’s errors proved costly.
Consecutive miscues allowed Ateneo to build a 19-15 cushion.
The Maroons committed eight errors in the set, compared to just three by the Blue Eagles.
Ateneo capitalized to secure a 25-19 win and a two-set advantage.
At that juncture, Delos Santos and De Leon paced Ateneo with 11 points apiece, while Hermosura added eight.
UP was led by Dongallo (8), Jaboneta (6), and Niña Ytang (6).
UP responded with urgency in the third set.
The Fighting Maroons established an 8-5 edge at the first technical timeout, but Ateneo briefly grabbed the lead, 10-9, after back-to-back conversions from Delos Santos.
The set evolved into a tense exchange, tied at 15-all following Ytang’s service ace.
Jelai Gajero swung momentum back to UP with an emphatic kill, and Jaboneta’s consecutive points pushed the Maroons ahead 21-19.
Fina Ali, who saw action only in the third set, provided a crucial lift with six points.
Ateneo threatened late as Delos Santos blocked Ytang to trim the deficit to 23-22, forcing UP to call timeout.
Out of the break, Julia De Leon executed a sneaky second-ball attack for set point, and Gajero finished it off, 25-22.
The fourth set saw UP surge ahead early, 8-4 at the first technical timeout and 16-8 at the second.
Ateneo mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to 22-21 and eventually tying the set at 23.
But back-to-back errors from Hermosura—an attack error and a net fault—handed UP the closing window.
Ateneo’s challenge on a reaching call was unsuccessful as UP forced the deciding set.
The fifth set delivered relentless drama.
UP struck first behind De Leon and an Ateneo error for a 2-0 start. The Blue Eagles countered, tying the set at 3-all after a Pacia attack.
Ali then ignited UP’s push with consecutive points for a 6-4 lead, followed by Bien Bansil’s ace for a 7-4 cushion.
Ateneo clawed back once more, leveling at 9-all after Chuatico’s ace.
The teams traded blows down the stretch. Dongallo powered UP to 14-13, Hermosura answered at 14-all.
Ali stepped up under pressure for a 15-14 UP edge before Ytang delivered the final word—a towering block on Pacia to seal the 16-14 victory.
UP showcased balance and composure in the comeback.
Ytang led with 15 points, Jaboneta added 14, while Ali and Dongallo chipped in 13 apiece.
Ateneo was paced by Delos Santos (21), Hermosura (19), and Donna De Leon (15).
