The University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons finally barged into the win column of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament and ended a long-losing skid.
The Diliman-based squad was able to overcome the University of the East Lady Warriors in a four-set victory to end a 17-game losing streak, and leading the Fighting Maroons’ charge was UP’s veteran opposite hitter Steph Bustrillo.
The 5-foot-9, Cebu-native charged their offensive with 24 points, which were built on 22 attacks and two aces, while also handling seven digs, and she said that it was a huge morale booster for the whole team.
“Siguro po, ‘yung panalo na ‘to, naging motivation po namin ito going into the second round. This win, sobrang [napakalaking] bagay po nito sa ‘min,” Bustrillo told ABS-CBN News.
“Naibalik po namin ‘yung tiwala at courage namin sa isa’t isa, at sobrang laking bagay po sa ‘min para makuha po ‘yung gusto namin, at maging kami ‘yung best version namin going into the second round,” she added.
But aside from learning that they have the capabilities to win and compete with their peers, this victory was extra special for Bustrillo.
March 17 not only marked the day that UP tallied their first win of the season, but it was also the birthday of Steph’s departed grandfather, Fernando Bustrillo, Sr.
“Gusto ko rin po sabihin na, personally, binibigay ko po itong panalo sa lolo ko, birthday niya po,” she said.
“Sobrang gusto ko pong manalo kasi birthday ng lolo ko,” she added of her lolo who died in 2020.
“Si lolo kasi dati, hindi ganun ka-[expressive], unlike kay lola. Both po sila wala na, pero siya pa po kasi ‘yung parang tahimik na nagsu-support sa akin at sine-celebrate din ‘yung mga success ko.”
Steph said it was a coincidence that they were poised to earn their first win on a day that she holds so dear, but she admitted that it also motivated her more when she realized that UP could win.
“Kanina po, parang sobrang naiiyak na ako, kasi naiisip ko na lahat ng ‘to para kay lolo. Lahat ng ‘to, igi-gift ko sa kanya, kailangan kong mas tapangan at mag-lead para maibigay ko sa kanya ‘yung panalo.”
“Hindi ko nga po in-expect na birthday niya. Then ngayon ‘yung game namin, pero nangyari nga. So binigay ko po ‘yung buong puso ko.”
“Alam kong pangarap ‘to ng lolo ko para sa akin,” she ended. (ABS-CBN News)