The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws were raring to show their championship mettle when they faced reigning UAAP queens De La Salle University Lady Spikers, Sunday afternoon.
A season ago, FEU gave La Salle fits, nearly eliminating the eventual-champions from the Final Four after taking away the Lady Spikers’ twice-to-beat advantage.
In their season debut, however, the Lady Tamaraws could not get over the hump, as the Lady Spikers shut down all their runs and took a straight-set win.
Skipper Remy Palma rued her team’s lack of composure in the clutch, lamenting that they could not sustain any momentum they were trying to gain.
“Para sakin, pag patapos na biglang magkukulang na sa dulo. Nandun na, nakakahabol na kami pero di namin natagalan yun pag kapit namin,” the 21-year-old middle blocker said.
“Yung consistency din, parang buong set nandun kami biglang bumibitaw kami sa dulo.”
If they truly want to be contenders, Palma asserts her team’s need for short-term memory.
“Kailangan namin bumawi, na maging lesson ito at mag fight back kami sa mga natitirang game namin. Siyempre kakasimula lang nito, tapos, it’s a good lesson pa rin. We accept defeat, at kailangan makabalik kami ng mas malakas,” the native of Apalit, Pampanga added.
Last season, the Lady Tams only lost one match against opponents that did not make the Finals. Repeating that feat will be more challenging this season, with most teams having retooled over the off-season.
“Lahat ng teams talaga nag-improve this season. Kita naman sa kanila,” Palma remarked.
“Kaya hindi puwedeng stagnant kami kailangan nagi-improve, kailangan laging ready.”
