Camille Naredo

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UAAP

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771922254300UAAPS87 Womens Volleyball - Angel Canino - 4866.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Action between UP and La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball tournament, April 13, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media" width="960"/>Action between UP and La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women&#x27;s volleyball tournament, April 13, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. UAAP Media</div>MANILA — University of the Philippines opens a back-to-back stretch against last season&#x27;s UAAP collegiate women&#x27;s volleyball finalists — a crucial test that could define its campaign moving forward.The Fighting Maroons begin their push after two consecutive five-set victories over teams that failed to advance past last season&#x27;s eliminations. First up, they face a team that has yet to drop a set in the tournament.After going up against a rejuvenated De La Salle side at 3 p.m. today (Wednesday), UP will take on defending two-time champion National University on Sunday.UP has a history of surprising the Lady Spikers and the Lady Bulldogs during second-round surges, though it ultimately finished sixth last season.As the Fighting Maroons aim for a three-game winning streak for the first time since the Season 84 (2022) bubble tournament, head coach Fabio Menta recognizes the challenge ahead.&quot;Yeah, well, that&#x27;s why we&#x27;re here. That&#x27;s why we worked for eight months. We need to catch one of those sooner or later in order to be in final four. We knew that UE was new. And so, we had first game, you have no statistics. So, we just, you know, you improvise almost the game plan. This one (against Ateneo) was studied very well, but we had so many physical problems,&quot; Fabio said.&quot;And the next one is La Salle. So, there&#x27;s more trouble coming. But we need to find the health first. Because when we are healthy, we defend better. We block much better. We attack harder. So, we&#x27;re looking at being first strong enough to play La Salle. And then we have NU. I mean, you know, the next two teams are the champions in the last years. So, every game is possible. We proved it last year, beating La Salle and NU. We&#x27;re gonna try,&quot; the Italian mentor added.Seniors Niña Ytang and Irah Jaboneta are carrying UP’s offense, while Casiey Dongallo is also producing solid numbers in her comeback season. Julia de Leon is making a strong case to be the starting playmaker.Meanwhile, the Lady Spikers are making waves behind Shevana Laput, Angel Canino, and Amie Provido. De La Salle’s playmaking issues that plagued the last two seasons appear resolved, thanks to young setter Eshana Nunag’s consistent performances against Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/2/22/uaap-orcullo-la-salle-least-surprised-by-eshana-nunag-s-strong-start-2044">READ: Orcullo, La Salle least surprised by Eshana Nunag’s strong start</a></div>Assistant coach Noel Orcullo, however, cautions that the upcoming matchup won’t be easy. The Lady Spikers needed a tough third set to beat both the Lady Tamaraws and the Tigresses.&quot;Paghahandaan parin namin sila gaya nga ng lagi naming sinasabi. Itong UAAP na to, walang madaling kalaban. Lahat paghihirapan mo. Kailangan tiyagain mo, gustuhin mo manalo. Paghandaan lang. Another—eto tapos na yung UST, looking forward naman kami ngayon sa UP. One game at a time. Kung sino yung dadating na kalaban, yun ang paghahandaan namin,&quot; Orcullo said.While the Lady Spikers and the Fighting Maroons battle to join the Lady Bulldogs atop the standings, the Tigresses and the Blue Eagles aim to avoid a joint last place with the Lady Warriors when they open the women’s doubleheader at 1 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.Coach Shaq delos Santos’ second tour with UST has started on a rough note, as the España-based squad opened the season with two straight losses—the first time since Season 79 (2017).Ateneo, on the other hand, saw its 11-match winning streak against UP end after squandering a two-set lead last Sunday.Men’s action highlights a showdown between the league’s last two MVPs, Josh Ybañez and Ken Batas, as the Golden Spikers and the Blue Eagles face off at 9 a.m.As Ybañez braces for Batas’ return while Ateneo recovers from knee issues, coach Odjie Mamon remains confident UST can spark a winning streak.&quot;Actually, naka-ready na yung scouting report namin for the Ateneo match. Hopefully, yung training namin on [Monday] and on Tuesday would be enough kasi it&#x27;s short preparation time. Minor adjustments na lang,&quot; Mamon said.After securing their first win, the Blue Eagles hope to be in sync against the Golden Spikers.&quot;I think very similar ang playing style ng Ateneo and UST, so it&#x27;s just a matter of who&#x27;s becoming more disciplined of pushing through with the system. Polish lang kasi definitely we have the manpower and the firearms within us. Kayang kaya yan makipagsabayan, it&#x27;s just a matter of discipline talaga,&quot; assistant coach Tomie Rivera said.The two teams, together with UP—set to face winless De La Salle at 11 a.m.—and idle Adamson University, are locked in a four-way tie for third place at 1-1.At 0-2, the Green Spikers are off to their worst start since opening the Season 81 (2019) with three consecutive defeats.

University of the Philippines opens a back-to-back stretch against last season's UAAP collegiate women's volleyball finalists—a crucial test that could define its campaign moving forward.

University of the Philippines opens a back-to-back stretch against last season's UAAP collegiate women's volleyball finalists—a crucial test that could define its campaign moving forward.

UAAP: UP faces stern test against La Salle

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UAAP: UP faces stern test against La Salle

ABS-CBN News

Published February 24, 2026 10:00 PM PHT

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