Though the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws are at 1-1 to start the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball tournament, their situation has turned dire.
Following an up-and-down opening day win over the short-handed NU Lady Bulldogs, FEU struggled against the UP Lady Maroons. While FEU had highlights – like rookies Lycha Ebon and France Ronquillo scoring 16 and seven points – the Lady Tams saw dismal performances from some of their veterans.
As FEU head coach George Pascua put it, the Lady Tamaraws currently have a character issue.
“Ang babaguhin kasi is more on character. Pero, I trust the process naman. Hindi naman ganoong kadali baguhin ‘yun. Ang nangyari sa amin is individual errors. Ibig sabihin, may mga bagay na ‘di namin kontrolado ng mga coaches; ang execution is nasa players,” admitted the second-year Lady Tams head coach George Pascua, pointing to the 34 errors and 14 aces FEU gave up.
“Ang sabi ko nga sa kanila, umpisahan muna sa sarili nila – kung ano ba ‘yung intention nila, kung ano ba ‘yung goal nila.”
Pascua knows it’s imperative to pull consistency from his seniors in Jerrili Malabanan, Kyle Negrito, and Heather Guino-O. He trusts his players will eventually help the rookies.
“Sabi ko nga mag-step up kasi they’re blessed kasi nandoon ‘yung rookies na makakatulong nila. Dapat sila ‘yung mag-lead. ‘Yung leadership not only sa words, even sa action kailangan ipakita nila,” the FEU lifer continued.
“Kailangan sila mismong mga ates ang maging good example sa mga rookies. Kasi gaganahan pa ‘yung mga rookies kapag nakita na ganoon ‘yung ates nila.”
