Far Eastern University team captain Remy Palma has incredible psychological fortitude.
Her mental strength was most evident when her Lady Tamaraws took down the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons for a spot in the Season 79 Final Four. Palma not only played mind games, she also wore down the Lady Maroons’ confidence with her constant talking and sharp looks across the net.
UAAP players know better than to get into that game with Remy Palma.
FEU needed Palma’s leadership all throughout their rough stretch. After a tough loss to the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, FEU went down the standings with a 5-6 record.
With that predicament, the Lady Tamaraws needed to win every game from then on to keep their season alive — to keep Palma’s collegiate career alive.
Now that FEU are moving on to the Final Four, Palma isn’t happy just to make it there for a third straight year.
“Hindi lang siya one game. Ayaw kong matapos na one game lang. Kung ano pa yung kaya kong gawin, kung ano man yung napakita ko kanina, lagi kong sinasabi sa sarili ko na hindi ako dapat naku-kuntento, so ayun
“Kung umabot man ng playoffs, kailangan paghirapan pa rin namin at paghandaan pa rin namin ang mga natitirang game namin. Para sa akin kasi, ayaw kong isipin na isa na lang. Dapat marami pa,” the 21 year old shared after scoring 10 points with five blocks against UP.
“It’s all or nothing na. Kung ito na lang yung game na ibibigay sa akin, ibibigay ko na lahat. Lagi kong iniisip na, ito nga, huling laro ko na ito, so lahat, ibibigay ko.”
And this bravado and leadership that the native of Apalit, Pampanga is displaying is what pushed the Lady Tamaraws to charge.
“Malaking bagay talaga ‘yan si Remy kasi before the game nakikita ko nang tinatrabaho niya ‘yung pagiging leader. Kinakausap niya talaga lahat,” head coach Shaq Delos Santos said of his captain.
The Lady Tamaraws still do not know who they’ll face between the De La Salle University or Ateneo de Manila University. Whoever it is, FEU will not be the underdogs.
