UP Fighting Maroons during a game against UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

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MANILA, Philippines–University of the Philippines (UP) survived a gritty fightback from University of the East (UE), 25-18, 26-24, 24-26, 13-25, 15-13, to open the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

“First game of the season, of course, coming into this season, excited yung mga players, hindi pa nila alam what to expect. Hindi rin natin alam kung ano yung changes ng UE since nawalan sila ng players, kung ano yung gagalawin nila,” new UP head coach Benson Bocboc said.

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“So, later on, later part lumaban sila tapos medyo kami yung na-off so buti naman nakuha namin sa dulo, in five sets,” he added.

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UP coach Benson Bocboc, Joan Monares, and Kianne Olango after surviving UE. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/ul2gHUcD9E

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 15, 2025

Joan Monares best showed the character of the new-look Fighting Maroons with a 17-point effort, all but one from attacks apart from 11 excellent digs as rookie Kianne Olango delivered a solid debut with 15 points built on 11 kills and four blocks.

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“Siguro it’s the training. Every time na nagte-training kami we give our best. Kailangan namin i-work yung individual skills namin as well as team work and connection to each other. Sa win today it’s everyone, it’s teamwork, and also sa tulong ng mga coaches,” Monares said.

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“Sa first game ko po, talagang naramdaman ko yung kaba kasi iba yung venue na ganto kalaki tapos maraming audience, and siguro sa mga next games, kailangan ko po maging matapang at matalino,” Olango said.

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Irah Jaboneta also pitched in 12 points and Nina Ytang 11 points to immediately give Bocboc his first win.

Both teams struggled limiting their mistakes as UP committed 37 and UE 31 errors.

Article continues after this advertisement READ: UAAP: As spectator, Casie Dongallo shows support for UP and ex-team UE

UE came alive in the third and fourth frames to extend the match to an all-or-nothing fifth set.

The Maroons regrouped and zoomed to a 5-0 start in the decider but the Lady Warriors refused to wilt and still kept it close at 13-all before the UP duo of Nica Celis and Ytang unleashed quick attacks to end the two-hour and 21 minute match.

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Khy Cepada, taking over the scoring responsibilities left by Casiey Dongallo who jumped ship to UP in the offseason, finished with 24 points in the losing stand. Vanessa Bangayan contributed 17 points while Kayce Balingit had 12 points and Angelica Reyes dished out 25 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.

UP tries to build on the strong start when it battles Far Eastern University on Wednesday at Filoil EcoOil Centre while UE aims for a bounce back against University of Santo Tomas.luckywin

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