Fighting Maroons thump Lady Warriors to end four-game skid

UPs Kianne Olango

(UAAP Media Bureau)

MANILA, Philippines — Suffice it to say that it has not been an easy UAAP Season 88 women’s volleybal tournament so far for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

The team lost ace Casiey Dongallo for the season with an ACL tear, while team captain Joan Monares has a recurring back injury.

With all these, the Fighting Maroons also had a four-game slump prior to Sunday’s gameday.

UP, though, was able to return back to the winning column after sweeping the University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, Sunday at the Big Dome.

After the game, Fighting Maroons head coach Fabio Menta said that they are “slowly getting there” as they try to reorganize amid the challenging stretch.

“As you know, we had some problems with Casiey Dongallo’s injury. It took us a couple of games before we could find the balance. We have two opposites actually, so it’s not been easy to reorganize; slowly, we’re getting there,” Menta said.

“But, we don’t have Monares, we don’t have [Irah] Jaboneta, we don’t have Dongallo. So, we [are out of] outside hitters, so we just have opposites all over. So, we’re working hard to find that balance,” he added.

Following UP’s win over UE, the Fighting Maroons’ win-loss record improved to 3-6.

“We need to keep in mind that we need to be a quick team. Because when we slow down, we don’t have our identity. And we struggle a little bit on the high ball,” Menta stressed.

“That’s the idea, to continue working this way.”

Kianne Olango powered UP with 18 points on 14 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Nina Ytang and Jelai Gajero had 14 and 11 markers, respectively.

Jaz Manguilimotan had 20 excellent sets in the win for the depleted Fighting Maroons.

“I always say that I don’t want a superstar in the team. We don’t need superstars. we need a whole team. So, we cannot count only one player or two players,” he said.

“These girls have the responsibility to produce performances, and often, instead of talking about team, I talk about individuals. So I always tell them, you do your homework and then you'll see that we have a team,” he added.

“So the girls have been working so hard. Sometimes it's a different culture, a different mentality. I come from another place, they're not used to it, so I appreciate them a lot in the way they are working, with their minds also.”

Khy Cepada had 12 points, 17 receptions and 10 digs for UE, which dropped to 0-9.

In men’s action, UP defeated UE, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23, 25-20, thanks to Olayemi Raheem’s 20 points.

RG Piojo had 25 points for the Red Warriors.

National University also made sure that there will be no sweep after grinding out a 28-26, 17-25 24-26, 25-11, 15-8 over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Leo Ordiales dropped a career-high 30 points, while Buds Buddin had 25.

Mikko Espartero stood tall for FEU with 22 points and 21 receptions.