“If it is meant to be, it will be.”
For Gen Degollacion, destiny had its own way of leading her back to where she truly belonged.
Once set on joining University of Santo Tomas, she found herself starting her collegiate softball journey with Ateneo de Manila University.
Yet, no matter how far she strayed from her original path, the dream of donning the Tiger Softbelles jersey never faded.
Recruited alongside fellow high school standouts Katrina Ditchon and Mary Jane Beronilla as part of a “package deal,” Degollacion made an immediate impact in her rookie season, earning the Rookie of the Year award in UAAP Season 85.
Despite her success with Ateneo, the then 20-year-old never let go of her dream of joining the Tiger Softbelles.
After her freshman campaign, she mustered the courage to approach UST head coach Sandy Barredo to inquire if she still had a chance to try out.
“Dream school ko po kasi ‘yung UST, so after nung Season 85, nag-try po ako na kausapin si Coach Bards (Sandy Barredo) if pwede pa po. Kasi dapat po UST talaga ako papasok and ‘yon, nag-try po ako uli na pumasok. And ‘yon, blessed, pinagpala na mapunta naman ng UST,” the now 22-year-old standout shared.
Securing a spot on the team became more feasible when Beronilla took the first step in transferring to UST. As fate would have it, both players made it into the Softbelles’ Season 86 pool.
“Nauna pong makipag-usap si Beronilla sa UST; siya po ‘yung first na kinuha. Bale po pinag-isipan pa raw po ni Coach Bards ‘yung pagkuha sa’kin. Pero hindi ko na po alam ‘yung nagyari, basta ang sabi raw po sa kanya is ‘Papuntahin mo rito si Degollacion,'” the Fitness and Sports Management major recalled.
With a one-year residency ahead of her, Degollacion took the opportunity to refine her skills and prepare herself for a bigger role, especially since the Softbelles were set to lose key players like Charlotte Sales, Shyla Celis, and Royevel Palma.
“Naisip ko na since nabigyan nga ako ng chance na makapasok sa dream school ko, una, na-pressure ako. Pero sinet ko sa heart and mind ko na gagawin ko ‘yung best ko para may maitulong ako sa team, may mai-ambag ako, at mabigay ‘yung glory para sa school,” she said.
“Sinet ko rin sa mind ko na habang naghihintay, kailangan mapalakas ko ‘yung sarili ko para this season may ma-contribute ako sa team.”
However, Season 87 proved to be a challenging one for UST, with tough losses against Adamson University, University of the Philippines, and, for the first time in six years, De La Salle University.
For Degollacion, the experience was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating.
“Ando’n ‘yung kaba pero ando’n ‘yung excitement and ‘yung fun. Kasi, finally, andito ako sa dream school ko at naglalaro ako para sa kanila,” she shared.
Now, with a podium finish at stake in their crucial matchup against the UP Fighting Maroons on Saturday, Degollacion and her newfound family feel determined to give their seniors a memorable send-off by securing the bronze medal.
“Goal namin is kunin talaga ‘yung victory para i-secure na namin ‘yung spot namin sa third. Kasi parang nothing to lose ‘yung De La Salle, eh. Pero para sa’min, kailangan naming mag-stay sa podium. Kaya kailangan talagang ang goal is maipanalo na ‘yung Sabadong game.”
