The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws dominated the competition in their first four games of the Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference, dropping just a single set in their victories. It seemed like the Lady Tams were prepared for anything entering their match against the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs.
Prior to the match against NU, FEU quickly defeated the University of Batangas Brahmans, Bulldozed the PUP Lady Radicals, and swept the UP Lady Maroons, all in straight sets. Their lone set loss before their battle with NU came against the current NCAA champoions, the Arellano Lady Chiefs, but they too were no match for the charge of the Lady Tamaraws.
Unfortunately for the Lady Tamaraws, things didn’t go the way they wanted. NU swept FEU in straight sets, 25-23, 26-24, 25-19. FEU was able to match-up with their taller opponents throughout most of match, but the team crumbled during the latter parts of each set.
Jovelyn Gonzaga, one of the team’s veterans, had just one thing to say about the match. “Ang ganda ng nilaro ng NU, wala akong masasabi,” shared Jovelyn.
Scoring just seven points in the game, she mentioned the support the coaching staff gave the team after the loss. The coaches wanted the team to learn from the loss and use it as fuel to better improve on their game.
“Yung mga coaches namin hindi bumibitaw sa amin. Hindi sila nagalit sa amin. Pinangaralan sa amin kung ano yung magandang makukuha namin sa talo. Kumbaga wake up call sa amin, and pagbubutihin namin para hind imaging complacent.”
“Yung sinabi nila coach, may positive, may negative. Yung negative is natalo kami diba? Yung positive is at least hindi pa siya yung semis or finals, kasi yun yung pinaka-importante,” added Gonzaga.
Gonzaga hopes the loss serves as a wake-up call for the team to refrain from being complacent. The team needs to work on its consistency in closing out games, especially in the next round, where FEU will be facing stronger, tougher opponents.
“Ang dami pa eh. Lahat ng mga basic skills kailangan i-improve kasi nawawala-wala kami. Hindi kami consistent ngayong game.”
To end the interview, Jovelyn shared that players should not let losses get them down. As an athlete, one should keep in mind that while there will always be victories, there will most definitely be losses as well. Win or lose, one should use whatever happens as a means to improve ones craft.
“As a volleyball player, kailangan yung memory mo is short term.”
