pisilinuxworld.org

UP Fighting Maroons’ Niña Ytang (pictured), Jewel Encarnacion, and Nica Celis are staying. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —University of the Philippines players Niña Ytang, Jewel Encarnacion, and Nica Celis have opted to stay with the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP despite the offers to turn pro in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

The UP women’s volleyball team announced that the three core players will continue to lead the team in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament, which opens on February 17, after turning down the offers from PVL teams.

“We are very grateful to Niña, Jewel, and Nica for remaining loyal to UP. Of course, we’d support them if they decided to turn pro, but we’re even more excited that they’re staying to continue the UP Fight in volleyball,” said UP volleyball program director Oliver Almadro.

Despite winning only one of their 14 games, Ytang emerged as the 2nd Best Middle Blocker in Season 85 with  0.66 blocks per set. She also played for the Philippine women’s volleyball team with the core of National University in the SEA VLeague last year.

Encarnacion has been the Fighting Maroons’ captain since Season 84, while Celis was one of the steady middle blockers of UP last year.

“They’re very important because they’ll be the ones setting the standard and building the culture. We’re very hopeful that the young and new players will follow the example they will set,” said Almadro.

UP recently secured the commitments of Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s Jothea Mae Ramos and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu’s Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez.

Almadro has yet to name his coaches for the women’s and men’s teams, but he assured both squads have long been hard at work in preparation for Season 86 with the support of UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development Director Bo Perasol and new backer Strong Group.

The Fighting Maroons last reached the Final Four in Season 78 last 2016 during the rookie year of Tots Carlos and Isa Molde.