For a team that has clinched a Final Four seat for the fourth straight year, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws were in no mood for celebration.
Perhaps it was fatigue from a five-set showdown with the Adamson University Lady Falcons that dampened their mood. But the Lady Tamaraws are no longer content with just another semifinals berth.
FEU want to make the Finals. And if they’ve learned anything from their past semis campaigns, it’s that they need a twice-to-beat buffer if they want to make the Finals.
“Hindi talaga (kami kuntento sa Final Four),” said Bernadeth Pons, who tallied 22 points, 22 digs, and 24 excellent receptions against the Lady Falcons.
“Lalo na ako, graduating na ako and last chance ko na para makapasok ng Finals.
“Noong nakaraan, nakakaabot kami ng semis pero natatalo din kami. Kailangan talaga namin ‘yung advantage,” added the native of Talisay, Negros Occidental, who is today’s SMART Sports Player of the Day.
Pons was one match away from the Season 79 Finals after shocking the DLSU Lady Spikers in their first game of the Final Four. But La Salle ultimately made the most of their twice-to-beat advantage and finished off FEU.
At 8-4, FEU are hot on Ateneo’s trail, a team that holds a 9-3 record as of press time for the second seed. The Lady Tamaraws will need to win their two remaining games to keep on track and hope for at least one more Ateneo loss.
“Sobrang motivated namin ngayon kasi importante talaga para sa lahat ng nasa team na makapasok ng Finals. Time na siguro para umangat kami ng Finals.”
