MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons returned to their winning ways in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball with a 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10 win over Adamson University Lady Falcons on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Niña Ytang led the way for the Fighting Maroons with 20 points, including three blocks and two aces, while Antiquena Irah Anika Jaboneta added 19 markers, scoring seven in the decisive fifth set.
Negrense Joan Marie Monares and rookie Kianne Olango chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the Fighting Maroons snapped a four-game losing skid to improve to 3-4.
Jaboneta powered UP early in the fifth set, scoring five points for a 7-5 lead. Adamson stayed close at 8-9 behind Nitura, but UP closed out the match with a 6-1 burst, fueled by Jaboneta, Monares, and Ytang.
Rookie Shaina Nitura erupted for a career-high 38 points—35 attacks and three aces—while adding 15 excellent receptions and eight digs to lead the Lady Falcons, which dropped to a 2-5 mark.
Nitura’s scoring feat shattered the previous 35-point records held by Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez (Season 75, 2013) and UST’s Cherry Rondina (Season 81, 2019), though all three performances ended in losses.
Meanwhile, defending champions National University Lady Bulldogs recovered from a set down to defeat the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9.
Negrense libero Shaira Jardio showcased her defensive prowess with 25 excellent receptions and 20 excellent digs as the Lady Bulldogs completed a perfect 7-0 sweep in the first round of eliminations.
Alyssa Solomon led the Lady Bulldogs with 24 points, Mhicaela Belen contributed a triple-double of 19 points, 17 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions, while Evangeline Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan added 17 and 11 points, respectively, for NU.
Regina Jurado finished with 16 points, Angeline Poyos contributed 13 points, while Negrense Cassie Carballo posted a double-double of 10 points and 27 excellent sets as the Golden Tigresses fell to a 5-2 record./PN
