EVEN with shortage of team success with the University of the Philippines, there is no argument that Niña Ytang exits the UAAP as one of the most impactful middle blockers in league history.
Apart from holding a piece of the record for the highest-scoring game by a middle blocker, she also won her fourth straight best middle blocker award in Season 88.
But rather than reflect on hardships she faced on the way to being a model of longevity, Ytang instead tipped her hat off to her teammates and coaches.
“Grateful ako sa mga tao behind my success,” said Ytang, who delivered 172 total points this year, while also averaging the third-most blocks at 0.67 blocks per set.
“'Di ko makukuha yung mga awards na yun kung wala yung teammates ko, kung 'di nila ako tinulungan.”
Though Ytang, unfortunately, never experienced the Final Four, her gradual rise in the ranks of high-caliber middles mirrored the return to relevance of the Fighting Maroons.
Her first two trophies came during one-win campaigns in Seasons 85 and 86, before jumping to 6-8 then 5-9 records in her last two years, both good for sixth-place finishes.
READ: Ytang, fellow seniors leave behind Maroons side on its way up
Even with State U repeatedly on the outside looking in, Ytang brushed off the notion that it was only her who found success during her time in Diliman.
“Kung wala yung coaches na nagtiyaga na mag-training at mag-alaga sa amin. I think yun yung naging dahilan. Hindi lang para sa akin yung natanggap ko na award, kundi para sa team,” she said.
Nina goes pro
Now that Ytang’s swan song has come to a close, fans of the pride of Cebu now eagerly await her fate in the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft.
In previous rookie drafts, top-ranked middles like Gagate, Jean Asis, AC Miner, and Erin Pangilinan eventually became lottery picks - meaning it's not farfetched to see the same happening for the UP product.
“Slowly, nagsi-sink in na po siya. Alam niyo yung may hangover pa rin ako sa season na ito. But slowly, but surely, sinusubukan ko na po mag-prepare para sa next chapter,” she said.
“Lagi ko sinasabi that I'm very grateful for the experiences that I had during my stay here in UP and the UAAP, very grateful for the people behind ng mga success or failures ng team.”
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