MANILA, Philippines – Standing in the face of history, UP remained steadfast in its teamwork and resolve as it took down Adamson in a five-set thriller, 25-15, 15-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-10, despite a women’s volleyball record 38 points from super rookie Shaina Nitura on Sunday, March 16.
Irah Jaboneta went toe-to-toe with the young Lady Falcons superstar, scoring 7 of her 18 points in the pivotal fifth-set rally as the Fighting Maroons arrested a four-game slide to end the first round with a 3-4 record.
The returning Niña Ytang, meanwhile, fully brushed off her early season injury woes with a team-high 20 points on 15 attacks, 3 blocks, and 2 aces, while Joan Monares and rookie Kianne Olango scored 15 apiece in a ball distribution masterclass.
Jaboneta and Monares also displayed their all-around prowess, both collecting triple-doubles as they each breached double figures in digs and excellent receptions.
Following a long rollercoaster ride in the first four sets featuring both blowouts and close shaves, both squads remained neck-and-neck in the match’s twilight, as Nitura tied Alyssa Valdez’s and Sisi Rondina’s women’s volleyball record of 35 points while Adamson stayed down one, 6-5.
Arresting Jaboneta’s torrid streak of six straight points in the clutch, Nitura then finally broke the record while down 9-8 off a booming backrow hit. UP, however, stayed unfazed with a quick two-point response off Olango and Ytang, respectively, for the 11-8 separation.
This provided the cushion the Fighting Maroons needed amid a relentless Nitura endgame barrage, as Ytang again scored for the 13-10 gap before a weary Nitura widened the deficit with an untimely net touch for match point, 14-10.
Jaboneta then wound up for her seventh and final point of the fifth frame, emphatically sealing the deal off a through-the-block hammer for the win.
Barbie Jamili, filling in for the misfiring Frances Mordi, was a far second to Nitura in the heartbreaking loss with 18 points as Adamson dropped its fourth straight game to end the opening round with a 2-5 slate, tied with Ateneo and just above winless UE (0-7). – Rappler.com