“See you Saturday!!!”
That was what Tina Salak shouted after the post-game press conference on Wednesday, moments after her Far Eastern University side defeated Ateneo de Manila University, 22-25, 23-25, 25-12, 25-21, 15-10, to keep its UAAP Season 88 collegiate women’s volleyball Final Four hopes alive.
It may have sounded like hopeful thinking. It may have been manifesting.
More than two hours later, Saturday became a reality.
The NU Lady Bulldogs pulled off their own reverse sweep against the UST Golden Tigresses, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, completing the only scenario that would keep FEU’s semifinals bid alive.
With that result, the Lady Tamaraws and the Golden Tigresses finished the elimination round tied for fourth and fifth places with identical 8-6 records. They will now battle for the last Final Four spot on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Sabi ko naman sa team, kahit two percent lang. Ngayon, binibigyan pa kami ng two percent kasi nanalo pa kami. Kung magkaroon pa kami ng mas malaking chance, we’ll take it without any questions, without any reasons kasi ito yung pinaghandaan namin for Season 88,” said Salak after their win against Ateneo and before UST’s loss to NU.
“I know mahirap for us na nagkakaroon kami ng ganitong struggle, but definitely going against UST on Saturday, pusuan na.”
FEU faces an uphill battle against a UST side that has dominated their head-to-head meetings this season.
The Golden Tigresses swept the Lady Tamaraws in the first round, 25-17, 25-18, 25-20, and also took the second-round encounter, 25-17, 25-17, 18-25, 25-17.
“For me, it’s about wanting kung ano ba talagang gusto namin. Dapat lahat kami pare-pareho and for the next two days, ang gagawin namin sa training, kailangan naming i-build ’yon,” said Salak.
FEU is eyeing a third straight postseason appearance, while UST is aiming for its sixth consecutive trip.
“Ang hiling ko lang sa players namin, don’t hold back. Tuloy-tuloy lang. Ito na yun eh, do or die. Wala namang Game 1 or Game 2,” she said.
“Hindi ito pagandahan ng gising, pagandahan ito ng preparation mentally and physically.”
