Far Eastern University achieved its goal of transforming two nightmarish UAAP women’s volleyball seasons into a Final Four spot on Saturday evening. When the league returned after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Tamaraws were lagging in the standings, finishing Season 84 at the last place, winning just one of their 14 matches.
Then, FEU enlisted school legend Tina Salak to lead the team, which yielded instant results as the squad improved significantly to fifth place with a 6-8 record in Season 85.
That lengthy process culminated on Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium when the Lady Tamaraws pulled off a shocker against the league-leading University of Santo Tomas, winning 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20, 15-10. FEU is back in the Final Four with a 7-4 record and three games left to play in the elimination round.
Although they have achieved their initial objective, head coach Manolo Refugia now aims to capitalize on their position and strive for more.
“Napakasarap ng feeling kasi yung mga glory days ng FEU ay parang pilit naming ibinabalik, at ngayon nandito na kami sa Final Four,” said the first-year FEU coach as Salak transitioned to a consultant role.
“Masaya, pero hindi pa natatapos yung trabaho. Nandito na rin kami, edi mangarap na kami ng sobra-sobra pa.”
Jean Asis, the Lady Tamaraws’ hero in the fifth set against the Golden Tigresses, credited the school’s mantra that always reminded them of what to do, especially during trying times. Asis had been with FEU throughout the entire process, from a 1-13 record to the semifinals. She contributed five of her 16 points against UST in the final frame to secure the Final Four with six play dates left in the eliminations.
“Yung ‘Be Brave’ na yun, yun lang din po ang pinanghahawakan namin. Syempre, proud kami sabihin yun na ‘Be Brave’ kasi alam namin sa sarili namin na matapang kami at kahit lamang yung kalaban, mas tatapangan pa namin hanggang dulo,” said Asis, a third-year middle blocker.
“Laking tulong ng salitang ‘Be Brave’ kasi nireremind kami na huwag dapat mapanghinaan ng loob kahit mas lamang sila. Dapat mas maging matapang pa.”
That “Be Brave” mentality will also play a huge role as the Lady Tamaraws now face a mammoth task against the three higher-ranked teams.
FEU (7-4) is a game and a half behind third-running National University at 8-2. UST, meanwhile, is at 10-2, while De La Salle University is at 9-1.
The Lady Spikers swept the Lady Tamaraws in the eliminations, both in straight-sets fashion. The Lady Bulldogs emerged triumphant in their first-round clash, while they have yet to collide in the second.
That’s why their huge win over UST is a big deal. It gives them hope, motivation, and a boost, proving they can match up with any of those title favorites.
“Yes po. Wala naman pong imposible sa mga bagay-bagay. Kung nabeat namin yung Top 1 ngayon, why not sa ibang team? Basta tiyagaan lang at sipagan namin, at tiwala lang sa bawat isa,” said Asis.
“Ngayon masasabi po namin na kaya na po namin ulit makatalo ng top schools at sa tulong po ng panalong ito, siguro mas na-boost po yung confidence namin na kaya pala namin tumalo ng nasa mas mataas na rank.”
