SUDDENLY-STREAKING the University of the Philippines booted University of the East out of Final Four contention with a 25-22, 25-18, 25-17 sweep in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
Irah Jaboneta had a near triple-double of 13 points, nine digs, and eight receptions, as Joan Monares, who hit the game-winning attack, posted 10 markers, six digs, and five receptions.
With their first sweep in six years, the Fighting Maroons are now half a game behind fourth-ranked University of Santo Tomas (5-4) - and they can go for a top four entry if they repeat against in-form Far Eastern University on Sunday.
State U breached the five-win mark in the elimination round for the first time since Season 84 in 2022. But this time around, they did so with four assignments still left.
Taking down the Lady Warriors in straight sets was a fitting follow-up to UP’s gigantic upset of defending champion National U in five sets just four days ago.
UE and the short end of the stick
Still winless in 10 games, UE can no longer advance to the next round even with four games to spare.
It now extends their Final Four drought to 18 years dating all the way back to Season 69.
The Lady Warriors also moved closer to the brink of their first winless campaign in a decade when they went 0-14 in Season 77.
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