FAR Eastern University top hitter Bernadeth Pons played calm under immense pressure in leading the Lady Tamaraws to crucial win over National University in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Tamaraws remained in the hunt for one of the last two Final Four berths after they swept the Lady Bulldogs, 25-13, 25-14, 25-16, on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
FEU improved to 7-6 tied with its victim at the fifth spot. Pons gave credit to the team’s mental approach heading into the must-win match against NU.
“Hindi namin kailangan i-treat na pressure siya, kailangan ma-excite kami sa remaining games namin. ‘Yun ang ginawa namin ngayon,” said Pons, who finished with 16 points.
“Hindi kami nagpadala sa pressure. Nilaro lang namin kung ano ang laro namin, sinunod lang namin ang mga sinabi ng coaches namin,” he added.
[See FEU rips NU to keep Final Four hopes alive]
FEU has one game left in the elimination round and it’s another must-win against University of the Philippines on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.
UP is currently tied with University of Santo Tomas at the third spot with a 7-5 win-loss card behind Ateneo (10-2) and La Salle (11-2).
“Ayaw naman namin na matapos lang ang season namin na wala kaming mararating,” said Pons.
“So isa sa mga motivation namin na kaiangan pag-igihan pa namin para makapasok kami sa Final Four,” she added.
FEU made it to the Final Four last year and pushed then No. 2 seed La Salle to the limit after the Lady Tamaraws forced a do-or-die Game Two only to fall short against the eventual champs.
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