With seniors set to exhaust their playing eligibility on both sides, fans have been clamoring for one last Ateneo-La Salle Finals before both rosters go through major upheaval. Both sides have made the Finals the past four seasons, splitting the titles at two apiece. Another clash only seems fitting to break the tie.
But the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws refuse to let their stellar season become just another footnote.
The Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles are already in the Finals. The Lady Tamaraws are one match away from meeting them.
Last Sunday, FEU came in as heavy underdogs against the De La Salle University, having never beaten the Lady Spikers since Season 72. Down 0-2, FEU fought back and took the match.
FEU and DLSU face each other again tomorrow at the SM MoA Arena for the last Finals seat.
As she has all season, third year winger Bernadette Pons towed her squad both on offense and defense, scoring a game-high 22 points with 10 digs.
Having never defeated the Lady Spikers in her career, Pons still manages to remain confident through careful preparation and trusting her teammates.
“Naniwala lang po talaga kami sa sinasabi sa amin ng mga coaches na mag-tiyaga lang at wag kalimutan yung gameplan,” Pons told Tiebreaker Times. “Talagang pinaghandaan lang namin sila (La Salle) nang maigi. Kahit nilamangan kami nanaman ng dalawang sets, nagtiwala lang kami sa isa’t isa.”
Pons has battled through lingering back and knee pains caused by her scholeosis throughout the season. She again felt pain in their gauntlet of a match, but adrenaline helped her shrug it off and focus on the match.
“Okay naman na (yung katawan ko). Kapag game naman, hindi ko na masyadong iniintindi yung pain. Nilalaro ko na lang,” Pons said.
Still needing to win on Wednesday to finish the upset, the Lady Tamaraws know they need to quickly manage ther emotions.
“Hanggang ngayon lang naman yung saya na nararamdaman namin. Pagdating sa training, magfo-focus na ulit kami sa anong kailangan naming gawin sa Wednesday,” Pons admitted.
Pons knows they’re the underdog; that they have a legion of opposing fans wishing for their downfall just to see Ateneo and La Salle dance for the championship again. Pons believes FEU can play spoiler.
“Halos lahat ng tao expected nila La Salle-Ateneo. Siyempre, tahimik lang kami. Gagawin na lang naman yung best namin kasi goal din namin yung mag-Finals. Hahayaan na lang namin ‘yung mga tao kung anuman yung sabihan nila,” Pons said firmly.
“Hahayaan na lang namin na ganoon yung expectation nila. Basta kami may tiwala kami sa sarili namin na kaya namin mag-Finals.”
