On a University of the Philippines Lady Maroons team trying to give their rookies the most experience in the PVL Collegiate Conference, Marian Buitre stands as one of the team’s steady seniors.
Buitre’s experience came in handy when the Lady Maroons dealt the Adamson University Lady Falcons their first loss of the tournament and gained the edge in their best-of-three series.
The graduating Landscape Architecture major powered in a career-best 25 points, none more crucial than the six spikes she delivered in UP’s match-clinching fourth set run.
Now in her fifth and final playing year for UP, Buitre knows that these performances from “super seniors” like her are necessary to drive the Lady Maroons to their full potential.
“Sabi ko nga kanina, as a super senior, dapat ako ‘yung huling, huling bibitaw, ako ‘yung huling, huling mage-error.
“Para sa akin dapat sila kakapit,” said the 22-year-old spiker.
UP head coach Godfrey Okumu gushed about Buitre’s performance. He expects the opposite hitter to continue her dominance when they go for the jugular in Game Two on Saturday.
“That’s our volleyball.
“If we get a good receive, we try to give it to the opposite as much as we can. Buitre has been very good for us. I expect her to continue being dominant on Saturday,” said Okumu.
For her part, the 5-foot-8 Buitre is used to the pressure.
“As a super senior, I need to perform what is expected of me. Being a volleyball player, pressure comes with that. ‘Di naman mawawala ‘yung pressure – ‘yung expectations sa’yo, ‘yung mga fans na yan, maraming expectations yan, ‘yung family mo, ‘yung teammates mo – andun na talaga yung pressure, ‘di naman na mawawala ‘yun,” she declared.
Buitre was doubtful to return for her fifth year after UAAP Season 80. It was her desire to see her collegiate career through that pulled her back to the team.
“Kasi thesis na eh, nahihirapan ako,” she shared. “Ayun nga, ‘di ko muna kinuha yung thesis dati para makapag-extend ako. So sabi ko, nasimulan ko na, ano pang point nang pag-dedelay ko kung ‘di ko naman na itutuloy.
“Tsaka gusto ko, goal ko talaga bago grumaduate, madala ko man lang sa championship yung team ko.”
