MANILA, Philippines — Joan Monares has emerged as one of the University of the Philippines’ go-to scorers, leading the Fighting Maroons’ hot 2-0 start in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

For the second straight game, UP turned to Monares, who erupted for 19 points built on 17 spikes and two aces, helping stun contender Far Eastern University, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, on Wednesday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

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SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament first round

Monares believes her return from a left ankle injury that sidelined her in Season 85 \made her stronger and prepared her to lead the young Fighting Maroons this year. 

“Coming from an injury, it was hard keeping up with the players because I just got back. For me, this year I really preapred, physically, mentally and emotionally,” Monares told Inquirer Sports.

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Joan Monares rises for a hit against two FEU defenders to lift UP Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School product averaged 18.0 points in the first two games including their five-set win over the University of the East last Sunday.

But the third-year spiker is  stillnot contented with their strong start as opesshe h to make up for her time when she struggled in the past season.

READ: UAAP: UP fends off FEU, goes 2-0 in women’s volleyball

“I’m really hoping that I can contribute more to them team because last year we were lacking, and also yung experience last season we had a little bit of low [morale],” she said.

“Hopefully, this season is a good season for us because we’re really training hard, we’re playing with our hearts, our pride and most of all we have team work because we’re always helping each other out.

UP beat FEU for the first time since the second round of Season 84 last June 2, 2022. It was Joan’s first win over her younger sister Ann, the Lady Tamaraws’ libero.

“I know they gave their best, but we did too. It wasn’t just luck—we worked hard in training because we really wanted to win,” Joan said.

Monares believes UP’s new system under coach Benson Bocboc and their new players led by prized rookie Kianne Olango, who had 17 points to backstop her, resulted in their good start.

“With our experience given talaga yung time last year na medyo bago yung team, players bago din, compared siguro this season malaking tulong yung rookies namin na galing high school na natutulungan din nila yung team namin para umangat. We’re working on our connection sa court, inside and outside,” she said.

Monares and the Fighting Maroons eye their third win against the shorthanded Ateneo Blue Eagles (0-2) on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.