During the second round, the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws have been playing inspired volleyball.
Leading the FEU charge is the stellar play of senior setter Gyzelle Sy.
In the Lady Tams’ last three outings, Sy’s setting and veteran savvy enabled the likes of Bernadeth Pons, Chin Basas, and Remy Palma to showcase their respective lethal forms as the season progressed.
“Siguro nainspire lang din ako kasi sobrang daming suporta na dumadating sa FEU [tapos] kada panalo namin, mas nadadagdagan pa,” Sy said. “Siyempre, [dahil din] sa tulong ng mga fans at coaches namin nakakapagperform kami ng maayos.”
Ever since the team’s defeat at the hands of the Ateneo Lady Eagles, FEU responded back with key wins against the National University Lady Bulldogs, University of Santo Tomas Tigresses, and the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons to strengthen their Final Four bid. Moreover, in their game against the Lady Maroons, Sy had a career-high 54 excellent sets in the game.
“Siyempre malaking bagay para sa amin ito kasi ‘yung goal talaga namin is makuhang itong third place. Sabi naman ni coach, ang target naman namin is [to be] number three na,” Sy told reporters moments after FEU’s win over UP. “Ang pagkapanalo namin [against UP], malaking bagay na rin kasi momentum na namin ito para sa semis.”
Also, Sy shared that her role as a senior makes her carry a huge responsibility. She is often tasked by head coach Shaq Delos Santos to be the calming presence and primary motivator of the team inside the court.
“Siyempre dapat ako ‘yung naglelead kasi una, ako ‘yung pinakasenior and ako ‘yung setter,” she remarked. “Una, kailangan ko kasing pakalmahin ‘yung sarili ko kasi once na ako ‘yung sumimangot, dala na lahat. Dapat sa akin pa lang, nakikita na nila ‘yung [pagiging] motivated ko as a senior.”
With all of the momentum gained by the Lady Tamaraws in their recent string of victories, Sy now wants the team to shift its focus in their upcoming game against the Adamson Lady Falcons.
Given that they had a tough setback against them during the first round, they would surely want to get even. “Kailangan pa rin namin na paghandaan sila kasi una talo kami sa kanila [noong first round],” she added. “Sa team namin ngayon, parang excited kaming makalaban ulit sila kasi gusto naming makabawi.”
Lastly, with a very competitive volleyball season, Sy hopes that their playoff push would give them the best outcome possible. “Siyempre ‘yung process namin na step-by-step, kailangan namin manalo ng unti-unti para makaabot kami doon sa pinakataas. Kasi nga siyempre, ako gusto ko makarating kami sa championship [round] pero hindi naman ganoon kadali,” she closed.
