BITTERSWEET would best describe University of the Philippines’ breakthrough win in UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball after 17 defeats in succession.
The Fighting Maroons’ four-set victory over University of the East was emotional as can be - not only for the players and coaches, who played in the absence of a bereaved teammate, but also for a grieving UP community.
READ UP finally ends a 17-game UAAP skid at the expense of UE
Shortly before UP’s penultimate first-round match versus league-leading University of Sto. Tomas on Wednesday, reigning best middle blocker Niña Ytang’s mother passed away. UP head coach Oliver Almadro promptly encouraged Ytang to go home straight away and skip the match altogether.
Two days later, the university mourned the death of its well-loved sports psychologist Mona Adviento-Maghanoy, who was an integral part of various UP varsity teams, following a mountain-climbing activity in Occidental Mindoro on Friday.
Hence, beyond breaking a longstanding tournament slump, it was a milestone to remember for two special women who’ll always remain in the minds and hearts of the Fighting Maroons.
“(This win) really means a lot to us, to the UP community, our families na nagsusuporta sa’min. Higit sa lahat, we offer this to Ma’am Mona (Adviento-Maghanoy), our sports [psychologist] who passed away.
“Ma’am Mona, this is for you and kay Nina (Ytang), for her mother [who passed away]. Wala si Nina ngayon pero we share this win with her,” Almadro said.
UP offers win
Veteran spiker Steph Bustrillo added: “Gusto naming i-end ‘yung first round ng may panalo going to the second round. And sa sinabi nga ni Coach O (Almardo), ino-offer namin tong game na ‘to (versus UE) for Ma’am Mona and Nina na wala dito ngayon. Gusto namin silang maging proud sa amin.”
Ytang is expected to rejoin the Fighting Maroons on Wednesday for their second-round opener against National University.
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