UP Fighting Maroons’ Kassy Doering during a victory over La Salle Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Kassy Doering and Kianne Olango provided support University of the Philippines needed to stop La Salle from completing the Final Four cast in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
With UP’s season on the line, Doering took charge in the clutch scoring five of her 15 points in the fifth set to stun La Salle, 26-24, 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14, and keep their Final Four hopes alive on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: UAAP: UP avoids elimination, upsets La Salle in women’s volleyball
Doering, who finished with 12 kills from 23 attack attempts and nailed three blocks, believes their collective determination willed them back from a 1-2 deficit and kept them afloat despite the Lady Spikers’ last-ditch effort.
“I think it’s just about finding that fight within us and within my teammates. As soon as we feel like we might falter, I look to my teammates to kind of rekindle that spark inside, and I think that’s what showed up today,” Doering said.
UP Fighting Maroons’ Kianne Olango. –UAAP PHOTO
Olango, who had 14 points including three aces, drew inspiration from her teammates’ grit as they faced an established La Salle program.
READ: UAAP: Gut feeling turns into crucial win for Benson Bocboc, UP
“From the moment I got to UP, I’ve always seen how hardworking the older players are. I know they really want to make it to the Final Four too. So whenever I get the chance to play, I give it my all—for the team and for everyone who supports us,” said Olango in Filipino.
Doering, a one-and-done player, is eager to help end UP’s nine-year Final Four absence. The Fighting Maroons are the lone team in contention outside the top four with an improved 6-6 record.
“Emotions can run wild, but for me, it’s just remaining calm and steady in the mind and just always taking things one by one. This time has the potential to get us to the goal that we want. I’m so grateful to have come to the Philippines at this time and with this group of girls,” she said.
For Olango, the Fighting Maroons need to stay hungry ahead their last two games–against the University of Santo Tomas and also-ran Adamson–to have a chance at gatecrashing the Final Four.
“I think we’re just gonna keep doing what we’re doing. I feel like we’re doing well, but there’s still room to improve, so we’re focusing on training again,” said the prized rookie.
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