The Fighting Maroons currently share the top spot with defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs after a stunning win over the FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.
UP head coach Benson Bocboc praised his players for giving it their all as the Fighting Maroons hung on to beat the FEU Lady Tamaraws in four sets, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23.
The Diliman squad take a 2-0 start in UAAP Season 87 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Wednesday.
Despite falling behind in the fourth set by seven points, 7-14, the Fighting Maroons clawed back, as rookie Kianne Olango and Joan Monares connived to produce offense for the Diliman team.
They fired off a 12-5 run to tie the match 19-all and put pressure on the Lady Tamaraws late.
[RELATED: UP remains spotless in UAAP Season 87 after fending off FEU in four sets]
More than their offense though, UP relied heavily on floor defense as well, which wasn’t loss on Bocboc. After the game, he spoke highly of his players’ will to do whatever it takes.
“Sa tingin ko natural sila [on floor defense], pagdating ko 'di naman ako nahirapan kasi humahabol talaga sila ng bola at dumedepensa talaga sila. Gusto nila maglaro ng volleyball. ‘Yon naman nakakatuwa sa mga young(er) generation na upcoming, talagang wala silang pakialam kung masaktan sila, basta maitaas 'yung bola,” said Bocboc.
“Minsan nakakalimutan, nire-remind lang natin sila sa labas. Pero in general, nakakabalik naman. Ayon, tingnan natin hanggang saan. Pero ang goal namin, dire-diretso. 'Yung depensa na 'yan, 'yung block na 'yan, lahat 'yan tuloy-tuloy. Ayon 'yung tinatrabaho namin,” he added.
At 2-0, the Fighting Maroons are already ahead of their results last year, when they only managed one win for the whole season. They also present themselves as a dark horse for the Final Four — or maybe even the title.
On offense, the Fighting Maroons also showed a lot of promise, with a total of four players breaching double-digit scoring against FEU.
For Bocboc, it was simply proof that his players were ready — and even when they weren’t on the taraflex, each Fighting Maroon was ready to step up to the plate if needed.
“Well, hindi sila nilabas kasi nagko-contribute sila eh. Pero may mga players sa labas na ready na pumasok just in case. 'Yun naman sinabi ko sa kanila, sana 'di dumating sa point na ilalabas ko pa rin sila parang noong nakaraang laro,” said Bocboc.
“So buti naman, nagawa nila 'yung kailangan nilang gawin, hindi na masyadong nagpaikot ng tao.” he added.
The tests continue for the Fighting Maroons though, as they will now face a gritty and wounded Ateneo Blue Eagles team on Sunday, February 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City in the first edition of the Battle of Katipunan.