UP's Nina Ytang. UAAP Media
MANILA, Philippines – No one expected University of the Philippines (UP) to pull off a stunner against defending champion and erstwhile unbeaten National University (NU) in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament.
Not even middle blocker Nina Ytang.
But she made it possible, leading the Fighting Maroons to a shocking 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12 triumph over the Lady Bulldogs on Wednesday by firing 30 points on 27 attacks and three blocks to go with four digs.
READ: UAAP: Ytang fires 30 as UP deals NU its first loss in Season 87
Ytang was the first UP player to score more than 30 points after Tots Carlos in Season 80 and was also the first middle blocker to breach that territory since Season 79 or after Jaja Santiago's 30-point output in a losing fashion against University of Santo Tomas in April 2017.
"Actually po, wala po talaga kami in-expect na, I mean, hindi namin in-expect na mananalo kami," Ytang admitted after the match.
Ytang bared that she was too stunned to speak after realizing that they actually won against the Bella Belen-captained squad.
READ: UAAP: FEU eyes solo second; NU looks to extend perfect start
"Pagkapanalo, pagkakuha namin ng last point, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko. Iiyak ba ako? Matutuwa ba ako? Sisigaw ba ako? Kasi very surprising talaga 'yung result ng game," she said.
Ytang said the win was made possible by faith, discipline, and hard work on the taraflex.
"Disiplina lang po talaga sa loob ng court. Laging sinasabi ng coach namin na disiplina lang, hindi po ito kani-kaniya sa loob ng court. Dapat tulungan," Ytang said. "Tulungan talaga kami — tiyaga-tiyaga lang po talaga sa loob ng court."
"Nagdasal lang po talaga kami sa loob. And then iniisip na lang po talaga namin na malayo na, malapit na kami. Wala na kaming ititira pa. Kung ano na lang kaya naming ibigay, ibuhos na namin lahat. Dasal lang po talaga," she also said.
As they gain steam for a Final Four push, Ytang said emotions should not get the better of the Fighting Maroons.
They also avenged their loss to Ateneo last time around.
READ: 'Kaya pa talaga': Ateneo boosts Final 4 hopes with marathon win vs. UP
"Actually lagi naming nire-remind sa team na kalma lang. Kalma lang. Kung para sa 'tin talaga 'to, makukuha natin 'to. Kung atin 'to, atin 'to talaga."