Contenders rise, champions tested in UAAP Women’s volleyball weekend shake-up

The UAAP women’s volleyball tournament delivered more than just wins and losses over the weekend, it revealed separation at the top, resilience in the middle, and urgency at the bottom.

UST Golden Tigresses wasted little time asserting control last Saturday after dismantling the UE Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-11, 25-14, 25-14, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.

It was a clinical display that reinforced UST’s growing rhythm this season. Angge Poyos and Jonna Perdido  chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Steering a balanced attack that never allowed UE to find its footing. 

While, on the other end, Khy Cepada’s nine-point effort was not enough to lift the Lady Warriors, who slipped to 0-4 and remained anchored at the bottom of the standings.

If Saturday’s opener was decisive, the second match was unforgettable. The UP Fighting Maroons staged one of the season’s most stirring reversals, erasing a two-set deficit to topple defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs, 16-25, 16-25, 25-22, 31-29, 18-16.

Still reeling from a previous loss to DLSU Lady Archers, UP showed resolve when it mattered most. Nina Ytang, Casiey Dongallo, and Jelai Gajero fueled a comeback from 9-13 in the deciding set, saving three match points in a dramatic fifth-frame finish.

NU’s bid to stay unbeaten was complicated by the absence of rookie standout Sam Cantada in the fourth and fifth sets after sustaining a minor lower-leg injury late in the third. Cantada had already delivered 10 points built on four aces, three attacks, and three blocks, alongside seven excellent digs.

UP seized the opening, first dominating the third set before clawing back from a 21-24 deficit in the fourth, a shift that ultimately handed NU its first loss of the season.

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UAAP SEASON 88 VOLLEYBALL

Team standings after the FEB. 28 & MAR. 1 matches #UAAPSeason88 #StrengthInMotionHopeInAction #volleyball#FEUTamaraws #DLSUGreenArchers #NUBulldogs #USTGrowlingTigers #UPFightingMaroons #ADMUBlueEagles #AdamsonSoaringFalcons #UERedWarriors pic.twitter.com/mzhc319g1p

— VOLLEYBALLnatics (@VBALLnatics) March 2, 2026

On Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the DLSU Lady Spikers tightened their grip on first place with a four-set win over the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-14, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17.

Even without ace Shevana Laput due to illness, DLSU absorbed its first dropped set of the season without losing control of the match. 

Middle blocker Lilay del Castillo erupted for a career-best 18 points highlighted by eight blocks, while Angel Canino and Amie Provido poured in 21 and 17 markers, respectively.

Ateneo, now 0-4, continued to search for a breakthrough despite strong outings from Anna Hermosura (18 points) and JLo Delos Santos (15).

The weekend concluded with the FEU Lady Tamaraws restoring balance to their season by defeating the Adamson Lady Falcons, 22-25, 30-28, 25-17, 25-20.

FEU’s win established a three-way tie with UST and Adamson at 2-2, compressing the middle of the standings and setting up a volatile race for positioning.

Though Adamson narrowly edged FEU in spikes, 60-59, the Lady Tamaraws ruled the net with an advantage in blocks. Faida Bakanke led the charge with 22 points, including five rejections, while Jaz Ellarina added 11 markers.

While Adamson leaned heavily on Nitrua, who produced 24 points and anchored the floor defense with 31 excellent receptions and 15 digs. But FEU’s defensive wall proved decisive, punctuated by Alyzza Devosora’s crosscourt kill that sealed the pivotal extended second set.

By the end of the weekend, the UAAP landscape looked markedly different. DLSU stands alone at the top. NU has been reminded it is vulnerable. UP has reintroduced itself as a threat. UST continues to surge. FEU and Adamson are locked in the scramble. Meanwhile, UE and Ateneo are still searching for their first breakthrough.

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