The UP Fighting Maroons live to fight another day after a big victory over La Salle kept their UAAP Season 87 Final Four hopes intact.
The UP Fighting Maroons keep the fire burning for a spot in the Final Four as they repulsed the DLSU Lady Spikers in a five set thriller, 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14, in UAAP Season 87 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
UP rode the coattails of Kassy Doering’s offense, particularly in the fifth set where she had five points — including the point to break the tie and make it 15-14.
The win keeps UP's slim hopes to snatch one of the three remaining Final Four spots. If the Fighting Maroons had lost this game, the women's Final Four would’ve been decided.
Additionally, UP snapped a six-year drought against La Salle, having last won back in UAAP Season 81.
The Fighting Maroons dragged the DLSU Lady Spikers into a fifth set where they were comfortably ahead, 13-9, after a double-contact violation was called on the Lady Spikers.
But the Lady Spikers, who were hoping to boost their twice-to-beat chances, wouldn’t go down without a fight as they went on a 5-1 run to tie the match at 14-all after an Angel Canino point.
Unnerved, the Fighting Maroons packed their final punch thanks to Doering and Joan Monares, who supplied the down-the-line hit that eventually sealed the victory for the Fighting Maroons who improved their record to 6-6.
Monares and Doering led UP in the win with 16 and 15 markers, respectively. Kianne Olango chipped in 14 markers as well.
Jaz Manguilimotan was named Player of the Game thanks to her offensive showcase as she finished with 24 excellent sets along with three points.
La Salle, who fell to 8-4 and is in joint second with UST, got 27 points from Shevana Laput. Canino added 25 markers, seven excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions.
The UAAP thus enters into the Holy Week break with defending champion NU the only team assured of a Final Four spot.