Barby Dajao was pleasantly surprised to find herself in second place in the Most Valuable Player race of the UAAP Season 87 Girls’ Basketball Tournament.
Averaging 15.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 5.7 steals per game at the end of the first round, the 19-year-old from Bacolod City tallied 105.667 statistical points — just 7.333 SPs behind leader Zayden Rosano of National University Nazareth School.
Though thrilled by the recognition, Dajao remains focused on her game.
“Nakaka-proud lang din po kasi hindi ko ine-expect na number two ako. Parang kung ano lang po kaya ko, yun ang gagawin ko,” she said after an impressive performance of 21 points on 10-of-12 shooting, along with five rebounds, five assists, and four steals in UST’s dominant 170-46 win over Ateneo last Sunday.
This isn’t Dajao’s first time competing in the UAAP.
Last season, she was part of the Junior Growling Tigresses squad that secured a bronze medal. It was during that tournament that she realized she truly belonged.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Parang nag-improve yung confidence ko at kung paano ako mag-adjust sa mga kasama ko para mas maganda yung mapakita naming lahat,” she shared.
So when the league announced the return of girls’ 5-on-5 basketball after a five-year hiatus, Dajao couldn’t contain her excitement.
“Na-excite kami ng sobra. Yun kasi yung pinaka-goal namin, makapaglaro sa UAAP,” she said.
“Eto yung first and last ko na makapaglaro dito sa 5-on-5 kaya gusto ko maging memorable yung experience ko.”
Now in her senior year, Dajao has her sights set on earning a spot in the Tigresses’ collegiate team.
She hopes to follow in the footsteps of her former 3×3 teammates Karylle Sierba and Gin Relliquette, as well as other UST standouts like Brigette Santos, Ayesha Pescador, and Erika Danganan.
“Gusto ko patunayan na may ibubuga din ako tulad ng mga ate ko na nasa college na,” she said.
