Joan Monares takes leadership role in stride as UP continues fight to make Final Four

UP senior Joan Monares is not backing down from the challenge as the Fighting Maroons vie for a spot in the Final Four against all odds in UAAP Season 87, aiming to end a 10-year drought for the Diliman-based squad.

After years of sub-par performances, including two seasons that totaled only three wins for the team, UP has finally seen a change in fortune spurred by the new program of head coach Benson Bocboc and rookie recruits like Kianne Olango.

But when it matters, it all comes down to the veteran hitters of State U like Monares and her fellow seniors like Irah Jaboneta, Niña Ytang, and Nica Celis to become the cornerstones of UP’s fight back.

Having been the clutch producer for UP in their biggest wins of the season against NU and La Salle, Monares embraced her responsibility to become a leader. Experiencing ups and downs in recent years, she gladly does her share of keeping her team afloat.

“As a senior, part ng responsibilities namin na maging matapang. Mas maunang mag-step up as an ate, as a senior na inside the court, kailangan namin i-lift yung teammates namin kapag medyo yun nga, rocky yung start namin, [dapat] mauna kami i-compose yung sarili namin bago yung iba,” Monares told media after their 5-set win over La Salle. 

“So, it’s a big responsibility din as an ate kasi inside the court, pinagkakatiwalaan ka nila and nagd-depend sila sayo. So, I hope naman na nagagawa ko yung part na yun together with my batch mates, si Irah, and the other seniors inside the court,” she added.

Twice now this season, Monares has provided the match-clinching point for UP, first against the Lady Bulldogs and then against the Lady Spikers.

[READ: UP keeps UAAP Season 87 Final Four hopes alive with stunner vs La Salle]

Despite the odds stacked against them, Monares said it’s the hope that keeps them going and pushing.

“It has always been a dream, the dream, na makapasok sa Final Four. So, ilalaban namin,” said Monares.

The Fighting Maroons haven’t been to the Final Four — whether men’s or women’s — since UAAP Season 78, which coincidentally was also the same year that UP hosted the league.

But now, UP faces an uphill climb — as the Fighting Maroons will need to win both of their next two games and have at least one team among La Salle, UST, and FEU lose all of their remaining matches.

Adding to that, UP will have to go through a winner-take-all Final Four playoff should the stars align.

But as far as Monares is concerned, nothing is impossible — especially as they try to keep on fighting.

“Sinabi na namin ‘to ni Niña nung NU game pero bilog po yung bola. Bilog yung bola. So hanggang lumalaban kami, may chance. Hanggang kumakapit kami, may chance,” she said.

Up next for the Fighting Maroons will be the UST Golden Tigresses, who are also seeking entry into the Final Four with a win. But Monares is optimistic of her team’s chances, at least, because of how they’ve grown in recent years.

“Yung pinakamaganda lang siguro sa team namin ngayon, hindi lang isang tao yung mags-step up. So kagaya ngayon, distributed yung puntos, distributed yung bola, of course, grateful kay Jaz [Manguilimotan] ngayon,” said Monares. 

“Yun nga, madami siyang pwedeng puntahan, madami siyang plays na pwedeng gawin kasi kaya naman ng teammates namin.”

UP enters into battle with UST next Wednesday, April 26, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.