By: Nicole Gonzales
Tyler Ramos believes Far Eastern University-Diliman is finally clicking as a team, and it’s showing in their performance this season.
After a challenging campaign, Ramos says the squad’s improved chemistry has been key to their push toward the UAAP Season 88 High School Boys’ Volleyball Final Four.
“I-all out na namin ngayon, tutal nandito na kami,” Ramos said.
“Hindi madali ang pinagdaanan namin throughout the season. Siguro focus na lang kami ngayon sa remaining games namin para mas maka-focus kami sa Final Four.”
Ramos, together with Season 87 Rookie of the Year Kenneth Maliwanag, has emerged as a leader for a Baby Tamaraws squad that has grown tighter and more synchronized compared to last year.
“This season, mas nakilala lang namin yung bawat isa, mas nagkaroon kami ng chemistry sa loob ng court, [compared to] last season na kakabuo lang ng team namin, so parang kumakapapa kami sa loob ng court,” he added.
FEU-D is determined not to let last season’s heartbreak define them.
After finishing outside the Final Four, the Baby Tamaraws are now rediscovering the winning formula that brought them a championship in Season 85, led then by the likes of Andrei Delicano, Amet Bituin, and Edriel Alavar.
Ramos and his teammates are building on that legacy, blending experience with newfound unity to create a team that is confident, cohesive, and dangerous on the court.
The Baby Tamaraws’ only two losses this season came in tight matches against last season’s top teams, National University-Nazareth School and University of Santo Tomas, proving they can compete with the best.
But for Ramos, the numbers only tell part of the story.
The real difference, he says, is how the players now understand and trust each other, making the team stronger mentally and emotionally.
“Mas matured na kami, hindi lang sa laro kundi sa kung paano namin tinutulungan ang bawat isa,” Ramos said.
“Yung focus namin ngayon, hindi lang sa panalo, kundi sa team namin bilang isang unit.”
With only a few elimination games remaining, FEU-D remains laser-focused on converting its chemistry into victories.
Their next test comes this Sunday against the Adamson Baby Falcons at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym, but Ramos and his squad are confident that their cohesion will carry them forward.
