By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons notched their second straight win in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-21, 25-18, 25-17 sweep over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 30.
Negrense Joan Marie Monares finished with 15 points, from 10 attacks, three service aces and two blocks, to go with six excellent digs and five excellent receptions as the Fighting Maroons improved to a 5-5 win-loss slate.
Antiqueña Irah Jaboneta added 13 points, all coming from attacks, to go with nine excellent digs and eight excellent receptions for UP, which came from a huge five-set win over the defending champion National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs last March 26.
With the Lady Warriors threatening at 15-19 in the third set, the Fighting Maroons answered with attacks from Dannica Celis, Monares and Kianne Olango to stretch the lead to 24-15.
UE managed to trim the deficit to 17-24 after an attack from Kayce Balingit and an attack error by Monares, but Monares made up for the miscue with an off-the-block hit to seal the win for UP.
Nessa Bangayan finished with 13 points, all coming from attacks.
Khy Cepada was held to just four markers as the Lady Warriors remained winless in 10 matches.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Lady Bulldogs recovered from their first loss of the season with a 25-22, 24-26, 26-24, 25-18 win over the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.
Alyssa Solomon anchored the Lady Bulldogs’ win with a season-high of 30 points, on 26 attacks, three blocks and a service ace, to go with four excellent digs as they improved to a 9-1 win-loss slate.
Mhicaela Belen tallied a triple-double of 18 points, 14 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Evangeline Alinsug contributed 13 points, 13 excellent receptions and six excellent digs for NU.
Faida Bakanke top-scored with 21 points, from 18 attacks and three blocks.
Jean Asis and Jazlyn Ellarina contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively, for the Lady Tamaraws, which dropped to a 6-4 record./ASC, WDJ