Although expected to be among the top teams alongside finalists La Salle and NU, few expected the young España-based squad to earn wins against both squads on the way to what is now a 6-0 record with one game left in the first round of eliminations.

On a historic and well-earned winning streak, the all-heart Tigresses have now matched the program’s best start since UAAP Season 73, when the likes of Rhea Dimaculangan and the iconic Aiza Maizo still led the way for UST.

After reaching the 13-year best mark off a close sweep of winless UP, 25-22, 25-20, 26-24, on Wednesday, March 13, the present-day Tigresses admitted that the team’s former stars have been their sources of confidence as they hustle to keep the momentum going into the second round.

“As a player, I use them as motivation this season especially during this great start,” super rookie Angge Poyos said in Filipino after erupting for 22 points in just three sets. “But on our part, we shouldn’t be complacent since the season is still long and there’s still the second round. No time to relax.”

“I respect my ates and just use them as inspiration,” echoed rookie blocker Em Banagua in Filipino. “I need to make a name for myself as well, keep contributing to the team, and lessen my overthinking.”

Laced within the Tigresses’ answers is a healthy mix of pride and caution, which is exactly the right combination of emotions to keep the whole team grounded while at the top.

In fact, young UST should look no further than how its idols’ story back in 2011 ended: a two-game finals sweep at the hands of mighty La Salle, then led by the likes of Cha Cruz and Michele Gumabao.

If this season’s Tigresses were to rewrite past history, they are on the right track by not staying complacent, like they have said multiple times in previous games, and again versus UP.

“One game at a time,” as the age-old cliché goes. – Rappler.com

Former rookie MVP Bella Belen has once again been a force in the women’s division, nimbly complementing her reliable scoring punch with undeniable defensive stats that the Lady Bulldogs sorely needed in their five-game winning streak since losing to the UST Golden Tigresses.

NU’s men’s team has likewise picked up the pace, with first-year standout Jade Disquitado definitively avenging the Bulldogs’ end of a lengthy 34-game victory run through a powerful attacking skill set already beyond his years.

For their consistent efforts in lifting the vaunted NU volleyball program through the early goings of the season, Belen and Disquitado have been named the Collegiate Press Corps Players of the Week for the period of March 6 to 10.

Ever the feisty, yet humble star, the 21-year-old Belen deflected credit of her recent achievements to her teammates, who have helped her get the Lady Bulldogs back on track with their own standout performances.

“We’re really happy because we’ve seen that we can all contribute,” she said in Filipino. “Our team is not about building star players. We all want to rise as one, with no one left behind.”

Belen, who averaged 15.0 points, 14.5 excellent digs, and 8 excellent receptions in the week’s two-game stretch, bested La Salle rival and MVP Angel Canino, former Player of the Week Angge Poyos of UST, and FEU leader Gerzel Petallo for the award handed by reporters regularly covering the beat.

Disquitado, the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference Finals MVP, likewise deferred his outings to the people surrounding him, most notably NU’s multi-titled system architect Dante Alinsunurin.

“I’m just happy that I’m having good games while following Coach Dante’s system and following my teammates,” he said in Filipino.

The 19-year-old hotshot, who peaked with a 29-point, 23-reception outing over FEU, bested teammate Owa Retamar, La Salle’s Vince Maglinao, and Ateneo’s Jian Salarzon for the award presented by the San Miguel Corporation and supported by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey. – Rappler.com

Gab Gomez announced on Monday, March 11, that his Ateneo stint has come to a close, leaving the Blue Eagles’ roster further depleted following the departure of forward Kai Ballungay and one-and-done guard Jared Brown.

“It hurts to let you know that my journey as a Blue Eagle ends and I will be moving forward with my basketball journey,” said Gomez.

“Though my time in Ateneo did not end like how I expected, I still see it as a blessing that I was part of something special. It was still a dream come true.”

A Filipino-Italian, Gomez joined the Blue Eagles in 2020 after being recruited by head coach Tab Baldwin.

He played a key role as Ateneo captured the Season 85 crown in 2022, firing 12 points in the do-or-die Game 3 against the UP Fighting Maroons.

“Winning a chip with the blue and white is something that I will cherish forever,” Gomez said.

“But more than that, I’ll never forget the time spent outside the court – the brotherhood that I was a part of and the people that I met in my stay here.”

His playing time, though, took a hit in Season 86, which saw the Blue Eagles relinquish their crown after a Final Four ouster by twice-to-beat UP.

In the 10 games he played in Season 86, Gomez averaged just under eight minutes and normed 2.5 points and 1 assist per game.

Although leaving, Gomez said he will never stop supporting the school.

“I’m confident that the team will continue to have success and I’m already excited to cheer for them,” he said. – Rappler.com

At least that’s the opinion of the La Salle coaches, who expect more from the Lady Spikers even after they swept the Fighting Maroons, 25-15, 25-17, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 10.

The defending champions claimed their third consecutive straight-set win to improve to 5-1, but the La Salle coaching staff headed by Ramil de Jesus is far from pleased.

“We’re not satisfied with the way they move. We need some polishing going into the game next week. We have to work on our lapses and correct our mistakes,” said Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo in Filipino.

“The connection should be there. We need to work on that during our one-week break.”

Reigning MVP Angel Canino showed the way for La Salle with 16 points, firing 13 attacks to go with 2 blocks and 1 ace.

Shevana Laput tallied 9 points, Thea Gagate put up 8 points, and Alleiah Malaluan added 6 points in the swift win that saw the Lady Spikers dispose of UP in under 1 hour and 30 minutes.

As dominant as La Salle has been, though, since it suffered a five-set heartbreak against the UST Golden Tigresses, Canino acknowledged the team still has a long way to go.

“The skills are there. The only things missing are our connection and communication inside,” said Canino. “Everything has been given to us already, we just need to work on them.”

After crushing their last three opponents, the Lady Spikers face a major test as they tangle with the NU Lady Bulldogs next on March 16 in a rematch of the Season 85 finale.

Much has changed for La Salle since its title romp, with the team now without former veterans Jolina dela Cruz, Fifi Sharma, Mars Alba, and Justine Jazareno.

“Coach Ramil says that we should not look for those who are no longer here. We have to work on with whatever we have. We have everything. We just need to jell,” said Canino.

Joan Monares finished with 9 points to pace the Fighting Maroons, who remained winless after five games and stayed at the bottom of the standings. – Rappler.com

Eventually, he committed to the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in February. 

What awaits him is a program raring to restore its lost UAAP men’s basketball glory.

“I feel like being a part of the dynamic of what’s going on is just as good as, and probably even better, because then it feels like you were there to help build it, brick by brick, stone by stone,” said Mahmood on why he joined the Growling Tigers in the Navs Effect podcast. 

Mahmood is projected to beef up UST’s frontcourt, an apparent Achilles’ heel of the team last season as the Tigers gave up the most points per game while being the second-worst team in rebounds. 

Standing at about 6-foot-7, Mahmood posted 11.3 points and 5.8 rebounds with the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team in the FIBA U18 Asia Championship in 2022, bringing optimism that he can solve the team’s most glaring issues. 

“I think I bring a strong inside presence but I also believe I’m able to stretch the floor really well and dominate inside out,” Mahmood said. “I think I have a complete game and I want to be able to demonstrate that.”

The 18-year-old will join a UST squad hoping to end years of agony. 

Just last season, the Tigers finished with just two wins in 14 games. A year before that, they only notched one victory. 

Missing the Final Four in the past three seasons, UST has been hell-bent on reviving its basketball program, acquiring former champion coach Pido Jarencio as head tactician, former UAAP champion mentor Juno Sauler as an assistant coach, and even appointing alumnus and San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua as special assistant to the UST rector for sports. 

The Tigers have also tapped a pool of prized recruits, including Forthsky Padrigao from the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Kyle Paranada from the University of the East, Leland Estacio from California, Geremy Robinson from De La Salle University, and Ashon Andrews from the University of the Philippines.

All that to reinforce their core players bannered by Nic Cabañero, who led the league in points in Season 86, and Christian Manaytay, a reliable big man to complement Mahmood. 

“I spoke to the coaches, and you know, some of the players, and I think that culture shift over there is coming,” Mahmood said. 

“I’m looking forward to being a part of something big,” he added.

Mahmood will have a full five-year eligibility period for the Tigers starting in Season 87. 

With the roster shaping up to be a promising one, Mahmood is upbeat about his future in the Tigers’ lair, considering the impressive displays the team enjoys in off-season leagues such as the Pinoy Liga: Next Man Cup.

Last February 3, in the team’s most notable win yet, the Tigers pulled off an upset over reigning UAAP champion La Salle Green Archers, sans season MVP Kevin Quiambao, ending UST’s nine-year-long losing streak against the Taft-based squad in the sport.

The Tigers, who have been fielding mostly new recruits, also hold wins versus NCAA champion San Beda Red Lions and the Adamson Soaring Falcons in Pinoy Liga.

For Mahmood, the early success could help push the Tigers to great heights starting next season.

“I’m looking forward to integrating with the team and seeing what coach Pido has to offer,” he said. “As well as getting back to the winning track and bringing us back to the championship.”

“I think that UST is going to be a name in the headlines all year, next year.” – Rappler.com

All 12 rotation players scored for NU as it stretched its winning streak in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-13, 25-19, 25-16 sweep of the UE Lady Warriors at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, March 10.

Except for their two liberos, the Lady Bulldogs drew scoring contributions from their entire 14-man squad in a concerted effort to spread the wealth.

“We’re happy because we saw that anyone in the team can contribute. In our team, we’re not building star players. We all want to succeed with no one left behind,” said Belen in Filipino.

The Season 84 rookie MVP, Belen paced NU in its fifth consecutive victory as she fired 11 points built on 10 attacks and 1 block.

Belen hardly needed to carry the offensive cudgels, with five of her teammates scoring at least 5 points and the other six putting up at least 2 points.

Vange Alinsug backstopped Belen with 9 points followed by Aishat Bello (7 points), Alyssa Solomon (5 points), Nathasza Bombita (5 points), and Arah Panique (5 points).

In contrast, only five players scored for the Lady Warriors as they fell to 1-5.

For Belen, the balanced attack bodes well for NU as it continues to build momentum after starting the season with a surprising sweep loss at the hands of unbeaten league leaders UST Golden Tigresses.

“I think we’re still not on our peak,” said Belen. “The season is still long. It is not ideal to peak this early. We’re taking it slow.”

Riding high on their stellar run, the Lady Bulldogs will have their mettle tested as they go up against defending champion La Salle Lady Spikers in their first UAAP encounter since the Season 85 finals.

“La Salle is a champion team. We know that it is not going to be easy,” said Belen.

Casiey Dongallo showed the way for UE with 11 points in the loss that marked the fifth consecutive for the struggling Lady Warriors. – Rappler.com

The Lady Tamaraws returned to the winning column of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-13, 25-22, 25-17 sweep of the Adamson Soaring Falcons at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, March 9.

It was a resounding bounce-back victory for FEU after coming off a five-set heartbreaker against league leaders UST Golden Tigresses and a four-set defeat at the hands of third seed NU Lady Bulldogs.

“We were really eager to redeem ourselves from those two straight losses,” said Lady Tamaraws head coach Manolo Refugia in Filipino.

Congolese rookie Faida Bakanke paced FEU with 14 points built on 13 attacks and 1 block, while Chenie Tagaod and Gerzel Petallo added 12 points apiece.

A third-year outside hitter, Tagaod said she and the rest of the Lady Tamaraws’ veterans wanted to set a good example for their younger teammates.

True enough, Bakanke followed suit and came up with the highest scoring performance of her UAAP career as she rebounded from a meager one-point outing against NU.

“We worked hard for this. We studied how [Adamson] moved. We practiced and we executed. It turned out well,” said Tagaod in Filipino.

FEU improved to 3-3 and returned to the top four with one game left in the first round.

Ayesha Juegos finished with 10 points in the losing effort as the Lady Falcons slipped to fifth place with a 2-3 record.

No other Adamson player scored in twin digits. – Rappler.com

The rookie delivered anew as UST stayed spotless in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament after a 25-19, 25-16, 25-19 sweep of the Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, March 9.

Coming up with another gem of a performance, Poyos fired a career-high 26 points built on 21 attacks, 3 aces, and 2 blocks to propel the Tigresses to a fifth straight win.

The swift victory allowed UST to solidify its place atop the eight-team standings, although Poyos does not want the Tigresses to rest on their laurels knowing that their perfect start also comes with a big target on their back.

“We cannot be complacent and we cannot relax,” said Poyos in Filipino.

But even with the rest of the UAAP zeroing in on Poyos, the talented hitter continued her splendid run as she breached the 20-point plateau for the fourth straight match.

Averaging 22.4 points through five games, Poyos punished Ateneo with 11 points in the opening set and already reached 20 points by the time the second set ended.

“I just want to play and contribute to the team. My individual performance is not that important, I just want to contribute on offense and defense,” said Poyos.

Regina Jurado chimed 12 points off 10 attacks for UST, while Jonna Perdido and Margaret Banagua added 8 and 5 points, respectively.

Like Poyos, Jurado hopes the Tigresses maintain a level-headed approach.

“It is just the first round. For sure, other teams will make adjustments in the second round. And for sure, we’ll have a hard time,” Jurado said.

Only Lyann de Guzman finished in double-figure scoring for the Blue Eagles with 11 points as Ateneo absorbed its second straight loss and fourth overall in five games.

Sliding to 1-4, the Blue Eagles fell to seventh place, just above the winless UP Fighting Maroons. – Rappler.com

The Lady Warriors tapped Kurashiki Ablaze assistant coach Shota Sato as consultant and opposite spiker Asaka Tamaru as deputy, the team announced on Friday, March 8. 

“With coach Jerry temporarily away, they take the reins, and the players are excited,” said UE team manager Jared Lao. “As the saying goes, ‘It ain’t over ’til it’s over,’ and under their leadership, we’re ready for the journey ahead.”

The UAAP slapped Yee with a season-long suspension spanning three months for “conduct violative of the purposes” of the league, allegedly stemming from a contract dispute involving his former employer Adamson. 

Yee maintained there was “no ethical breach” in his decision to move to UE, adding that the suspension was “uncalled for and there was no due process.”

Sato served as assistant coach for Kurashiki Ablaze, the Japanese team that dominated the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference under mentor Hideo Suzuki.

Tamaru also impressed in her PVL stint, winning the First Best Opposite Spiker in the same conference.

The Lady Warriors’ coaching staff of Obet Vital, Stephanie Cholico, Allan Mendoza, Ludio Dulce, Gregory Ericta, John Paul Martires, and Jelai Gajero welcomed Sato and Tamaru’s addition to the squad.

Sato and Tamaru, who arrived in the Philippines on Thursday, March 7, will make their coaching debuts on Sunday, March 10, when the UE Lady Warriors battle National University Lady Bulldogs at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Lady Warriors, even with super rookie Casiey Dongallo, stand near-bottom with a 1-4 record. – Rappler.com

Billed as a thrilling matchup between two young super scorers, UE rookie Casiey Dongallo and La Salle’s sophomore MVP Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers brushed off an error-prone start and showed their true power in the third set, eventually completing a 25-21, 25-18, 25-10 blowout on Wednesday, March 6.

Still, the individual matchup did not disappoint, as Canino dominated the stat sheet with 17 points, 9 excellent digs, and 7 excellent receptions, while Dongallo still shone in a hasty conversion to middle blocker with 15 points on 12 attacks and 3 rejections.

Canino, who powered through minor sickness in the win, had nothing but glowing praises for the person intent on taking her former distinction as the UAAP’s top rookie sensation.

“It’s fun to finally see how she plays,” she said in Filipino of Dongallo, who averaged a staggering, league-leading 26.0 points per game prior to facing La Salle.

“Actually, I’m really happy to have finally faced her in a game.”

Dongallo, practically left speechless when asked about their individual matchup, was likewise filled with awe after competing in what she previously described as a “dream” battle.

“Playing against her, Ate Angel is just so skilled. She’s great. What else can I say?” she said in between laughs, turning to assistant coach Dr. Obet Vital for help in expounding her answer.

“When I was able to receive some of her attacks, Krizzie [Madriaga] told me, ‘She hits so hard,'” Dongallo continued. “Every hit she had, it seemed like we really had a hard time receiving it. There were a lot of points.”

With UE now reeling with its fourth straight loss after a winning start to the season, Dongallo remains focused on learning every game from the league’s top teams and stars like Canino, as every win the once-forgettable Lady Warriors get is a sure step in the right direction.

“La Salle is the standard in [UAAP] volleyball, so the lesson we learned in this game is that we really improved in the new system. There is progress,” Dongallo continued.

“We just have to continue what we’re doing and do more with whatever we’re doing right.”

Win or lose, the valuable lessons will definitely continue to come for UE as it next faces another tough team in perennial finalist NU Lady Bulldogs on Sunday, March 10, 2 pm, at the Mall of Asia Arena. – Rappler.com