UAAP: With UP’s Final 4 dream still within reach, Monares eager to lead by example

University of the Philippines’ Joan Monares in their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball bout vs. De La Salle University. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of the Philippines’ UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball Final 4 aspirations remained alive after its five-set stunner over De La Salle University on Sunday.

Led by the heroics of Joan Monares, and with the efforts of Kassy Doering and Kianne Olango, the Fighting Maroons avoided elimination and bidding goodbye to what they described as ‘The Dream.’

“It was always a dream, ‘The Dream’ of the team, na makapasok sa Final 4,” emphasized Monares, who had 16 points on 15 attacks and a block on top of seven digs and five receptions.

Monares, much like in their previous upset of the erstwhile undefeated National University, also hit the game-clinching kill against the twice-to-beat-seeking Lady Spikers.

For the 23-year-old, this was made possible by the mentality that they live on: “Bilog po yung bola.”

“Ilalaban namin, kasi bilog po yung bola, so hanggang lumalaban kami, may chance talaga,” she furthered. “Trabaho lang. Sumunod lang kami sa game plan nila Coach [Benson Bocboc], so yun yung naging factor. Hindi kasi kami mananalo kung kami lang.”

But aside from the collective efforts that State U is taking pride in, another factor in their success against the league’s heavy hitters is how their veterans are living up to their respective roles with the squad.

“Siguro, as a senior, part ng responsibilities naming maging matapang at mas maunang mag step-up,” said Monares. “Kailangan naming i-lift yung teammates namin, at dapat mauna kaming i-compose yung mga sarili namin.”

“Pinagkakatiwalaan nila kami at naka-depende sila sa amin, so I hope I’m doing my part,” she added.

Next up for UP are games against University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University which are both must-win for the Diliman-based institution.

Even one loss will eliminate the Maroons from Final 4 contention, while sweeping both assignments can help them at least force a playoff for a semifinals slot.

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