FOR Far Eastern University head coach George Pascua, the fight is not yet over and it’s not the time for University of the Philippines to celebrate as the Lady Tamaraws seek to bounce back stronger in Game Two of their best-of-three title series in the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Collegiate Conference.
After squandering a two-set lead that allowed the Lady Maroons to complete a 14-25, 22-25, 26-24, 25-18, 15-5 come-from-behind win, Pascua stayed confident, believing that the Lady Tamaraws have what it takes to equalize the series.
“Sabi ko nga ‘yung UP hindi pa sila ‘yung time to celebrate kasi long journey pa,” said Pascua after the loss on Sunday at the Arena in San Juan City.
The FEU coach and his wards are in familiar territory like in their semifinals battle with UST, where they were down 0-1 in the best-of-three series but managed to fight their way back and reach the Finals.
“Subok ‘yung team ko na kahit nung semis Game One nakuha ng UST. Eto hopefully by (Games) Two and Three makuha namin,” he said. “Sabi ko sa kanila di natatapos yung labanan ngayon, naguumpisa pa lang kumbaga bonus lang yung binigay namin sa kanila.”
Pascua admitted that his wards were wavered by the ecstatic crowd of UP, which stood out in the 1,850 gate attendance.
“Nawala ‘yung composure yung big crowd ng UP doon sila naintimidate. Medyo tumaas ‘yung intensity ng UP,” he said after the meltdown of the Lady Tams caused by their 35 errors.
It reminded the Lady Tams coach of what happened to them in UAAP Season 80 Finals against De La Salle, which swept FEU and completed a ‘three-peat’.
“(Nagkulang sa ) communication bigla silang nawala siguro sa crowd na rin kasi nangyari na sa amin nung Finals yan sa UAAP sobrang dami nung crowd (ng La Salle),” he rued. “Malaking bagay talaga yung crowd pero sabi ko nga sa kanila hindi reason ‘yun. Importante nakafocus pa rin kasi ‘yun nga hindi pa sanay sa big crowd e isa sa mga factor ‘yun.”
Adding to their woes was the injury of Celine Domingo, who aggravated her knee injury early in the fifth set that made her doubtful to play in Game Two.
Pascua is hoping that their high-scoring middle blocker could return but he insisted that everyone should step up and stop looking for Bernadeth Pons inside the court.
“Dapat isipin nila without Pons kailangan magstep up sila kasi ‘yung leadership nila in action kailangan makita,” he said.
Pascua is hoping that FEU students and fans would show up in Game Two to match UP’s crowd as the Lady Tams fight for their dear lives and stop the Lasy Maroons from sweeping the series on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
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