UP’s Steph Bustrillo. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — The UP Fighting Maroons finally barged into the win column of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament and ended a long-losing skid.

READ: UP arrests long losing skid after breakthrough win against UE

The Diliman-based squad was able to overcome the UE 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 that were built on 22 attacks and two aces while also handling out 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 napakaling bagay po nito samin,” Bustrillo told ABS-CBN News.

“Naibalik po namin yung tiwala at courage namin sa isa’t isa, at sobrang laking bagay po samin para makuha po yung gusto namin at maging kami yung best version namin going into the second round,” she added.

UP’s Steph Bustrillo. Photo from UAAP Media. 

But aside from learning that they have the capabilities to win and compete with their peers, this victory was extra special for Bustrillo.

Last Sunday, March 17, not only marked the day that UP tallied their first win of the season, but it was also the birthdate 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 kas datii, hindi ganun ka-[expressive] unlike kay lola, both po sila wala na, pero siya pa po kasi yung parang tahimik na nag su-support sa akin at cine-celebrate din yung mga success ko.”

Steph said that 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 last Sunday.

”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. 

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