The UP Fighting Maroons who ended their 15-game losing skid on Saturday, April 7, 2024, by defeating the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament. Photo from UAAP Media. 

MANILA — The University of the Philippines made some noise at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila by tallying their first win of UAAP Season 86.

The Fighting Maroons stunned Adamson University, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 28-26, during their men’s volleyball tournament matchup on Saturday.

Jaivee Malabanan led UP’s charge, putting up 17 points, 19 excellent receptions, and nine digs to lead his team, while Angelo Lagando put up 13 markers and a pair each of digs and receptions.

Clarence Santiago was also stellar in UP’s win, delivering all of his team’s excellent sets with 26.

Down by a point in the fourth set, the Maroons scored three straight points to produce a two-point lead and put State U in a good position to tally their first win of the season.

Malabanan’s attack then pushed UP furthermore, 22-20, but back-to-back hits from Marc Paulino allowed Adamson to tie the game later in the frame.

Francis Casas then went on to score a service ace to steal the lead, but Malabanan quickly answered to even the game at 23.

Both squads exchanged attack in the next plays and saw themselves tied at 26 apiece, but a drop from Brian Chavez and an error from Adamson eventually allowed the Fighting Maroons to end their first game of the season and end their 15-game which dates back from Season 85.

The UP Fighting Maroons against Adamson. Photo from UAAP Media. 

Leading AdU were Paulino’s 20 points and 11 receptions, and Casas’ 18 markers, eight digs, and three receptions. Ronn Domingo finished with 20 sets for the Falcons. 

The San Marcelino-based team now sits at 4-7 in the team standings as they have just endured their third straight loss, and this defeat also puts their Final Four hopes in peril.

UP will look to turn more heads as they look to tally their second win of the year next Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig against Far Eastern University, while the Soaring Falcons will look to pump some life into their campaign when they face De La Salle University on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.