By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons cruised to a 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 victory over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday night, February 19.

Negrense Joan Marie Monares spearheaded the offense for the Fighting Maroons with 19 points, on 17 attacks and two service aces, to go with eight excellent digs as they improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate.

“It took a lot of hard work din for the team. ‘Yung panalo na ito, hindi siya tsamba kasi pinaghandaan talaga namin ito,” Monares said.

“Naghirap kami sa training kasi gusto talaga naming ipanalo ‘to [against FEU],” she added.

Rookie Kianne Olango impressed anew with 17 points.

Nina Ytang also made her presence felt with 15 points on nine spikes, four blocks and two aces, while Irah Jaboneta also persevered with 11 points, 12 receptions and seven digs for UP.

The Lady Tamaraws zoomed to a 14-7 lead in the fourth frame courtesy of attacks from Jaz Ellarina, but the Fighting Maroons leaned on Monares, Olango and Kassandra Doering to surge ahead at 22-20.

Errors by the Fighting Maroons allowed the Lady Tamaraws to remain within a point late, 23-24.

Ytang finished the game with a push shot that pierced through the arms of the defenders.

“So far maganda. May sinubukan lang kami at nag-work naman. Tingnan natin baka mas mag-adapt pa sila doon sa sistema ng defense, then we’ll take it from there kung paano magpo-progress. Paisa-isa,” UP head coach Benson Bocboc said.

Clarisse Loresco was the highest scorer with 11 points for the Lady Tamaraws.

Chenie Tagaod added 10 points and seven digs as they dropped to a 1-1 win-loss slate.

In the men’s division, the FEU Tamaraws notched their second consecutive victory as they took down the UP Fighting Maroons (1-1), 25-21, 25-16, 25-18.

Zhyndryx Saavedra led the way for the Tamaraws with 13 points./ASC, WDJ