‘Something is feasible’ after UP upset of NU

UP’s Niña Ytang celebrates throughout an upset win over NU in UAAP Season 87 ladies’s volleyball.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Even College of the Philippines star Niña Ytang was shocked the Combating Maroons upset defending champion Nationwide College on Wednesday. However that didn’t imply Ytang believed it couldn’t be executed. In reality, she made it occur.

Ytang delivered a career-game 30 factors to hold UP previous erstwhile-undefeated NU, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 25-23, 15-12, within the second spherical of the UAAP Season 87 ladies’s volleyball match.

The fourth-year Ytang, who dropped 27 kills and three blocks, turned the highest-scoring Combating Maroon since Tots Carlos and the primary center blocker to document 30 factors since former NU standout Jaja Santiago in Season 79.

READ: UAAP: UP takes down NU in ladies’s volleyball stunner

Niña Ytang talks about UP’s greatest win of the #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/IdqCRMZT2A

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 26, 2025

“Actually, we didn’t count on to win. We have been simply targeted on preventing and taking part in by the sport. After we obtained that final level, I didn’t know what to do—ought to I cry, be comfortable, or shout? The consequence was such a shock. It simply goes to point out that something is feasible, and also you simply have to carry on,” Ytang advised reporters in Filipino at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan after main UP to its first win over NU since 2018.

Ytang could have appeared unfazed going up towards the stacked Girl Bulldogs squad, which had gained eight in a row heading into the sport, however she had jitters within the fourth set earlier than coach Benson Bocboc helped her get her act collectively and lead by instance to her teammates.

“Earlier than I arrived, Ytang is Ytang. If in case you have a historical past of scoring, then simply preserve it going. I didn’t begin for her, she did it on her personal,” Bocboc stated. “We’re simply right here to assist her so she will be able to keep stable and never battle an excessive amount of when she’s in entrance. When she will get the ball, she is aware of what to do to attain as a result of she’s not all the time in entrance. It’s wanting good. There’s extra to come back, much more to see.”

READ: UAAP: Niña Ytang returns to assist UP notch a lot wanted win

“Coach pulled me apart and advised me to not present any weak point on the court docket as a result of it could deliver the entire staff down. He stated I used to be one of many gamers they have been relying on, so I needed to preserve going and present the staff that we may win,” Ytang stated.

“After all, self-discipline is vital on the court docket. Our coach all the time says it’s not about particular person play; we have to work collectively. We’re actually grateful to our coaches for guiding us, and we assist one another out as teammates. It’s all about persistence and onerous work on the court docket.”