In the heat of a tense, back-and-forth battle, Far Eastern University head coach Tina Salak delivered a powerful message to her team: Quitting is never an option.
It was this unshakable mindset that fueled the Lady Tamaraws in their thrilling fourth-set comeback against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
After getting dominated in the third set, FEU surged to an early 12-3 lead in the fourth, only to see the Fighting Maroons make a fiery comeback — a dominant 17-4 run that gave UP a 20-16 advantage, putting them five points away from forcing a decisive fifth set.
With Salak’s unyielding mentality, the Lady Tamaraws refused to back down.
“Parang umabot kami sa point na sinabi talaga ni coach na quitting is never an option. Doon kami mas kumapit kasi tama rin naman na yung pagku-quit, hindi naman talaga siya option para lagpasa yung pinagdadaanan namin,” Chenie Tagaod shared after contributing 14 points and 18 excellent receptions.
“Nag-compose kami sa fourth set at mas tinibayan namin at mas binigyan namin ng tiwala yung mga kasama namin.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Fueled by Tagaod’s leadership, as well as steady contributions from Faida Bakanke and Jazlyn Ellarina, FEU pulled away in the extended fourth set to secure the 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 victory.
The team also improved to a 7-4 record.
“Sobrang importante kasi dikdikan yung mga sitwasyon na ‘yon ‘eh, so kailangan namin mas tibayan at mas magtiwala talaga doon sa mga kasama ko at sa ganoon na mindset. Mas kinompose namin yung mga sarili namin dahil doon kaya ginawan namin ng paraan kung paano namin masosolusyonan kung ano naging problema,” Tagaod told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview.
From a roller-coaster first-round campaign, the Lady Tamaraws have found the much-needed momentum to fuel a strong second-round performance, keeping them in the Final Four hunt alongside the NU Lady Bulldogs, the DLSU Lady Spikers, and the UST Golden Tigresses.
Beyond their increased efforts in training and second-round games, one key factor in their success this season has been Salak’s ‘no-quit’ mentality, which has fueled the Lady Tamaraws’ drive and motivation.
“Yung motivation ko sa mga bata, hindi naman ako nagsasawa. Kung ano ‘man yung game na ‘yon or yung training na ‘yon, trabaho pa rin kasi isa lang naman yung goal namin,” she said.
“Hindi ako pwede magsawa rito. Kailangan ko pagtibayan din para sa kanila. Hindi ako pwede sumuko kasi hindi ako pwede mag-doubt sa kanila.”
