Ahead of Sunday, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws had not won against the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
It was a slobber-knocker that squeezed every bit of offensive power out of the Lady Tamaraws, but they finally conquered the Lady Eagles.
FEU did it in the biggest match of their season, staying alive in the Final Four and forcing a do-or-die for a seat in the Finals.
Captain Jerrili Malabanan said that she and the rest of the seniors were determined to extend their final playing year.
“I told the team earlier during the game that this wasn’t gonna be our last game, so I’m really happy that we achieved that goal,” said Malabanan, who tallied eight points against the Lady Eagles.
“Well, me and Kyle (Negrito) and Heather (Guino-O), last night we had a meeting, and we told each other that this was not gonna be our last game. So we’re happy that our season is extended.”
Open hitter Heather Guino-O was FEU’s hero. The Caviteña provided 17 points for an offense-starved FEU.
Guino-O had only come to her own in the Season 80 Finals. Now FEU’s ace, she wants to leave a mark.
“‘Yun nga po, kahapon pa lang, iniisip na namin na hindi kami papayag na huli na naming laro ‘to. Hindi pwede na huli na namin silang makakasama mag-laro. Kaya sobrang saya po, sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na na-extend pa,” she said.
“Sobrang saya sa pakiramdam kasi nga po, dito namin malalaman kung last na namin or kung magtutuloy-tuloy pa kami. Pinatunayan namin na hindi pa po kami tapos.”
