Seen as one of the favorites in the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws struggled mightily out of the gate.
From three grueling five-setters in a row, the Lady Tamaraws finally found respite after sweeping the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons. After three challenging games, George Pascua was glad to have finally ended a match quickly.
“Kahit papano naka-relief kami kasi kapag tatlo na talo na, medyo mahirap na. So, talagang pinilit namin makuha ang game na ito kasi nga para hindi lumayo doon sa standing namin,” said first year Lady Tams head coach George Pascua.
“Nakaka-boost ng morale ‘to sa players, kasi kailangan ma-boost ang morale nila ulit para mabalik ang confidence nila.”
Coming into their match against UP after having lost two straight games, FEU were yearning for a convincing win to reinforce their status as contenders. Now the Lady Tamaraws are tied for fourth place with a 2-2 record.
“Masaya ako kasi naipanalo namin ‘yung game na ‘to. Sabi nga namin ‘yung lahat ng games namin this season parang lahat five sets tapos hindi pa kami nananalo ng first set,” pointed out FEU team captain Bernadeth Pons.
“So sabi ko i-push natin na umpisahan ang first set, susunod na lang ang ibang sets. First set pa lang sabi ko start tayo strong and sabi ko tapusin natin ng strong.”
FEU only gave up 23 errors against UP, much less than their previous tallies in their two-game losing streak. The Lady Tamaraws also received better play from their setters, who have been erratic, to say the least.
“Dati kasi kaya medyo palitan hinahanap ko ang consistency noong laro nilq. So, ngayon pinractice namin nagfocus kami doon sa setting na ito ang dapat gawin, ito ang dapat mangyayari sa game so na lessen naman ang errors and na meet namin ang expectations namin,” added Pascua about his two setters, Kyle Negrito and Gel Cayuna.
Heading into their next assigment against the winless University of the East Lady Warriors on Saturday, the Lady Tamaraws want to stay consistent.
“Siyempre sabi ko nga sa kanila, lahat ng laban threat sila sa amin, walang mahina, basta importante ‘yung execution ng game plan namin ma-execute nila,” said Pascua.
“Lahat ‘yan pantay, pantay.”
