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

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

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

Mere hours before UE took on Yee’s former team Adamson Lady Falcons, the league officially handed down its stunning decision while Yee himself was in a separate venue outside the Mall of Asia Arena talking to reporters about the development.

Although the players and the remaining coaching staff were already given a heads-up, the side effects of the off-court development were still evident on the taraflex, as Adamson rolled over UE with back-to-back 25-19 routs and eventually prevailing in an extended fourth frame, 29-27.

For Lady Warriors super rookie Casiey Dongallo, the announcement certainly played a part in her team’s lethargic start.

“As [interim coach] Doc [Obet Vital] pointed out, we were mentally down in the first and second set. That was certainly one big added burden in our minds,” she lamented in Filipino.

“But as the game flowed, the coaches did not lack in reminders for us to set that aside. We just had to play our game especially in the third and fourth sets, where we were able to do just that. Still, we fell short.”

To the Lady Warriors’ credit, they indeed stepped up in the latter frames, stealing a 28-26 decision to stay alive in the third, before almost pulling off a fifth-set decider in a thrilling finish, 25-19, 25-19, 26-28, 29-27.

Also catching fans’ attention were the UE players’ accessories during the game – an assortment of armbands, muscle tapes, and wrist guards that have “Coach Jerry” scribbled on them.

Dongallo, far and away the league’s leading scorer with a 27 points per game average, added 26 more to her fast-growing tally as a small silver lining to UE dropping its third straight close game.

Moving forward, given the fact that Yee may still lead practices away from game arenas, Dongallo hopes that she and her teammates could break out of this slump soon – both standings-wise and mentally speaking.

“It’s not like we can just forget what happened this game, but I think we just have to move forward, give it all in training, fix what needs to be fixed, especially our mental state,” she continued.

“We really need to get our minds back in the game, as it was clear that we were affected with what happened to coach Jerry.” – Rappler.com

Once a must-see showpiece of top-notch skills, the matchup has turned into a one-sided affair in favor of La Salle, which has won 13 straight times stretching over a near seven-year period over Ateneo, including Saturday’s 25-12, 25-22, 25-19 blowout.

And as the equality of competition between the two schools waned, so apparently has the fans’ interest.

Saturday’s match only saw 6,477 fans, and while the number is low by Ateneo-La Salle standards, what’s more noteworthy is that the Lady Spikers’ fans overwhelmingly outnumbered the Blue Eagles’ supporters – around a 90-10 split by the eye test.

The ear test was even worse, with La Salle’s booming kill blocks triggering massive cheers while Ateneo’s valiant efforts were met with soft, scattered applause.

UAAP | HAPPENING NOW:

Dying rivalry?

La Salle fans overwhelm Ateneo supporters at the half-empty Mall of Asia Arena as the champion Lady Spikers enter their rivalry bout as big favorites against the young Blue Eagles.#UAAPSeason86 pic.twitter.com/8q200dyGeG

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 2, 2024

This phenomenon, however, does not faze Blue Eagles’ captain Roma Mae Doromal, as she simply thanked fans who stay through thick and thin.

UAAP | WATCH:

"Win or lose, it's the school we choose."

Amid lowering fan attendance, Ateneo captain Roma Mae Doromal hopes more supporters return to watch the Blue Eagles play, but she is nonetheless fully grateful for those who stay despite the mounting losses.#UAAPSeason86 pic.twitter.com/3vIAy7o4yb

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) March 2, 2024

“Of course, we hope that many more fans support us, but we in our team know that we’re not waiting for support to come,” she said in Filipino after the blowout loss.

“Whatever support we get, we’ll accept it wholeheartedly, and of course, we will keep fighting no matter what level of support we get.”

Fight, Ateneo did, as it even threatened La Salle late into the second and third sets – enough for legendary Lady Spikers head coach Ramil de Jesus to acknowledge the young team’s potential despite their recent lack of winning power.

In Ateneo’s glory days, the lyrics “Win or lose, it’s the school we choose” would audibly rock arenas as thousands of fans belted out the Song for Mary school hymn.

Now more than ever, the Blue Eagles could use more fans choosing to support their cause despite the mounting losses.

“This is the Ateneo way,” after all. – Rappler.com