MANILA -- University of the Philippines weathered a tough resistance put up by gritty Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, 25-16, 27-25, 25-12, to remain unscathed in the 2025 Shakey's Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Davao Leg Saturday at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym.
Veteran Niña Ytang displayed maturity and composure in keeping the Fighting Maroons together in the extended second set to overhaul a seven-point deficit before dominating the Lady Kingfishers in the third frame for a 2-0 win-loss record.
Ytang fired 13 points, seven in the second set, off eight attacks three aces and two kill blocks for UP, which seeks to claim its first-ever title in the tournament backed by Shakey's Pizza Parlor, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, Potato Corner and R and B Milk Tea.
"Niña's growing so much. Even physically she's fitter than before, she's jumping more. I think she's starting to understand her potential value. She's not looking at herself like what she is, I think she's looking at herself as what she's gonna be," Fighting Maroons head coach Fabio Menta said of his prized middle blocker.
"She's listening and she's doing so greatly," the Italian mentor added.
Action between UP and Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in the 2025 2025 Shakey's Super League National Invitationals Davao Leg, August 2, 2025 at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City. Handout/SSL
UP found itself in trouble in the second frame after NDDU, behind sisters Kate and Kaye Lopez, built a 15-8 advantage.
Ytang took matters into her own hands to erase the deficit, igniting the Fighting Maroons' blistering 7-0 rally with three straight points off a kill block followed by back-to-back aces.
The Kingfishers threatened once again after taking a 24-22 set point advantage. UP saved a point off a Joan Monares hit before Ytang put her team back on top, 25-24, off consecutive kills.
Kaye Lopez knotted it at 25, but UP salvaged the frame with an Irah Jabobeta hit and a costly error by NDDU.
The Fighting Maroons controlled the third set early to hand the Lady Kingfishers their second loss in as many games in the tournament, which has Asics, Mikasa, Smart Sports, F2 Logistics, Team Rebel Sports, Belo Deo, SM Tickets and PusoP.com as technical partners.
Jelai Gajero had 13 points, nine in the opening frame, while Casiey Dongallo and Jaboneta added eight markers each for UP.
The Fighting Maroons face defending champion National University on Sunday in a marquee match that will decide the winner of the first of the tourney's three legs.
"We're not the favorites, meaning we just got started and they are the champions. So, it's gonna be interesting for us to see how mature we are in dealing with heavy pressure from the opponents," Menta said.
Kate Lopez led NDDU with eight points, Kaye Lopez had six while Rhose Capili added five.