The main beneficiary of the FEU Lady Tamaraws’ win over the DLSU Lady Spikers on Sunday evening were the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigresses.
La Salle’s loss was UST’s instrumental gain, as both teams finished the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball elimination round with identical 10-4 records – tied for the second seed.
They will play for a twice-to-beat advantage on Wednesday, turning the series into a virtual best-of-three. This gives UST the opportunity for their first semis incentive since Season 73.
For graduating captain Sisi Rondina, this represents her best chance at making the UAAP Finals and capping her illustrious career with an indoor volleyball title.
Though their situation has turned favorable, Rondina insists the Tigresses are not shifting their focus on bringing back the UAAP title they last won in Season 72.
“Sabi nga natin, bilog ang bola. Kami pa rin ‘to, walang mababago. Maglalaro kami ng may pinaglalaban, lalong lalo na sa goal namin na gusto naming makamit noon pa,” Rondina told Tiebreaker Times, late Sunday evening.
“Magtatrabaho kami para may baon kami every game, and walang mababago lalaban hanggang dulo. Walang iwanan.”
In her five-year stay, Rondina has only won twice against La Salle, the latest being their first-round triumph earlier this season.
Knowing the three-time defending champions, Rondina is wont to keep her guards up for a furious Lady Spikers side come Wednesday.
“Lahat ng team bumabawi, lalo na’t galing sa talo. Depende kung paano nila i-treat ‘yung talo as a negative or positive. Sabi ko earlier kami at kami pa rin ‘to under nila coach Kungfu (Reyes,) at sa paraan nila coach kami hahawak,” the 22-year-old Cebuana said.
“Kasi sila ang may alam paano kami maglaro. Ang gagawin na lang namin is to execute well and give our best performance every game. We got each others’ back. Hanggang dulo, kami naman.”
