Story by Michelle Co
It was an emotional end to the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons’ season as graduating players Ayel Estrañero and Marian Buitre capped off their storied collegiate careers despite falling short of a Final Four berth.
They suffered a straight-set loss to the Adamson University (AdU) Lady Falcons last April 27 at the FilOil Flying V Arena to end a rollercoaster season that saw the Lady Maroons grind out until the end.
The Lady Falcons just proved to be too much as Chiara Permentilla and Joy Dacoron spoiled a winning farewell for the two veterans. However, that did not stop them from viewing their stellar journey with the Lady Maroons with a positive outlook.
“Just like the greatest dancers, the greatest singers, sometimes it comes the time they have to step out of the stage for the young people to come and take over. That is a fact that we all have to accept and agree to live with,” Coach Godfrey Okumu said.
But though the fifth place finish with a 6-8 win-loss record was not the way the team had hoped to end the season, both Estrañero and Buitre chose to focus not on the loss but on the journey that the team had embarked on.
“People from the outside only see the results but they don’t actually see the struggles, the sacrifice, and the effort the entire team actually put in every training day and every game day,” Estrañero said.
“Even though the result wasn’t that good, I still want to give credit to the entire team for actually pushing through,” she added.
Buitre acknowledged that game results do not always end up being what the team wants, and said that despite falling short of a final four appearance, she is still thankful for the UAAP journey she had with the team.
“It has been really meaningful and ang dami kong natutunan and I guess I’m proud of what I’ve become, of how I’ve grown throughout my UAAP career,” Buitre said.
Looking back on her own UAAP experience, Estrañero said that “it was not an easy journey” as she faced struggles and self-doubt as well.
But ultimately, Estrañero said that she had no regrets.
“It wasn’t the ending everyone expected but it was a journey worth going back to since I played my fifth [year] and I really have no regrets on playing my fifth,” she said.
“I’m always proud to say that I chose UP and that I was able to play for UP and study for UP for five years,” she added.
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