Gerzel Petallo has started only one game for Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, but her presence has been felt multiple times.
The 19-year-old rookie has been a spark plug off the bench for the Lady Tamaraws, and she proved it once again on Wednesday.
FEU needed to shake off Ateneo de Manila University’s third-set rally to stay alive in the Final Four race, winning 25-21, 25-11, 22-25, 25-21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Petallo was the one who put some separation between the Tamaraws and the Blue Eagles in the fourth set, making three straight points for FEU, turning a 20-all tally into a 23-21 lead for them.
For head coach Tina Salak, it was about her players embracing their roles, which is why Petallo’s confidence never dips despite the limited minutes.
“For them, kailangan mo lang iexplain kung ano yung designated (role) kasi kung hindi mo ieexplain sa kanila, hindi nila mararamdaman kung ano yung purpose nila sa team,” said Salak.
Petallo had one of her best games in her first year at the collegiate level, coincidentally against Ateneo in the first round. The 5-foot-5 open hitter from Iligan City produced nine points while playing in the third, fourth, and fifth sets only as the Lady Tamaraws escaped in a thriller.
It is always Petallo whose number is called upon by Salak during crucial moments, and it is because the two go way back. Salak handled Petallo during their time with De La Salle-Zobel in the juniors’ tournament of the UAAP.
“Tama na sa Zobel days pa lang siya na, kaya kilala ko kaya hindi rin ako naghesitate na palitan si Chenie that time alam kong nagsa-struggle si Chenie sa fatigue and hindi rin biro yung nilaro ni Chenie nung previous (game),” said the legendary setter-turned-mentor.
“Good thing lang din nag contribute si Gerzel in the nick of time talagang siya yung nagcontribute. Wala na akong masabi basta thankful ako sa mga players na nagkocontribute once na mag palit tao.”
With the big win over also-ran Ateneo, the Lady Tamaraws remained in the running for a Final Four spot at 6-6 but their fate is already out of their hands.
Aside winning their last two outings, FEU should also hope that at least one of University of Santo Tomas, Adamson University, and National University drop their remaining games to force a playoff for a Final Four berth.
