UP’s Steph Bustrillo. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA (UPDATED) — The University of the Philippines has finally tallied a victory in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

The Fighting Maroons emerged triumphant over the University of the East, 25-21, 25-20, 20-25, 25-17, during their first-round matchup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Steph Bustrillo had 24 points that were built on 22 attacks and two aces to lead her team in the triumph despite them missing the services of Nina Ytang.

Four other players stood out for the Katipunan spikers, with Joan Monares and Irah Jaboneta each contributing 12, and Nica Celis and Pling Baclay handing out 10 points each.

Fighting Maroons head coach Oliver Almadro hailed his players after their win, saying that this was a result of them putting their trust in their system.

“I like to thank my players for trusting the system and the process,” he told reporters following the game.

“We know it’s really hard to win right now in the UAAP, napaka-taas ng level ng UAAP, but they did not stop working hard. And of course, we would like to thank the support of the UP community,” he added.

UP also halted a 17-game losing skid that stretched from Season 85 as they now sit at 1-6 in the league standings.

After winning the first two frames, the Maroons faltered in the third after the Lady Warriors refused to endure a sweep.

Dr. Obet Vital’s team’s advantage in attack points (15-8) allowed UE to move past State U in the third set, and also playing a factor was the Recto hitters committing fewer errors in that span, 5-8.

Almadro’s squad managed to bounce back in the fourth as after they were tied at six following a block from Casiey Dongallo, UP charged on a four-to-one spurt which was ended by Baclay’s own block.

A strong attack from Monares later in the same set extended the Maroons’ lead to six, 22-16, while an off-the-block kill from her as well as a service ace from Bustrillo eventually ended the game that lasted for two hours and a minute.

Meanwhile, Dongallo led UE with 26 points, nine receptions, and eight digs, but they also fell to 1-6 in the standings.