Just when her team needed her most, Far Eastern University star hitter Bernadette Pons delivered in the clutch to help quell the National U Lady Bulldogs in five sets, yesterday.
Pons delivered a career-high 30 points on 27 for 60 attacking, helping FEU clear valuable space in a crowded race for the last two Final Four spots.
The third-year hitter, however, would have preferred sweeping NU rather than playing the additional sets to eventually reach her career-high.
FEU had NU on the ropes, taking the first two sets only to let NU crawl back and force a fifth frame.
“Masaya ako pero medyo disappointed din kasi two sets na ang napanalo namin tapos umabot pa ng five sets,” said Pons. “Hindi naman importante kung ilang points ‘yung magawa ng kahit sino sa amin basta maipanalo namin ‘yung game.”
Before the NU match, Pons, together with her fellow veterans, received a tongue lashing from their coaches after a lack-luster performance against the Ateneo Lady Eagles. Pons admits that she was really motivated to make up for her lapses.
“Sobrang hindi ganoon ‘yung expectation namin na mangyayare. Pinaghandaan namin na matatalo namin ‘yung Ateneo. Hindi talaga lumabas ‘yung gusto namin mangyare,” Pons recalled. “Kinailangan namin makapagmove-on sa nangyare sa Ateneo para makapag-focus sa gitgitan sa Final Four.”
On paper, FEU has the upper hand in their last three matches. They take on two teams they beat in the first round, University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas. Adamson University, which managed a shocking upset at their expense, has been stumbling of late with coaching changes and chemistry issues.
Despite a seemingly favorable schedule, Pons maintains that their opponents are just as hungry to secure a Final Four spot.
“Kahit natalo namin sila noong first round, naghahabulan kasi talaga ngayong second round. Kaya focus pa rin sa training – sa kung sino ‘yung pinaghahandaan, tapos enjoy,” Pons closed.
