FIVE-year waits have proven worthwhile as of late across both college and pro volleyball ranks.
In the UAAP, 2019 marked the last Final Four appearance for the women's volleyball tournament’s winningest school in Far Eastern University, one year after a runner-up finish in Season 80.
Moreover, it was also in Season 81 that year in which FEU last defeated National University — a feat it replicated in dominant straight-sets fashion to open their Season 86 semifinal campaign.
READ: FEU keeps title hopes alive by whipping NU in straight sets
Such an inspiring breakthrough, according to FEU senior ace Chenie Tagaod, was inspired by another team in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) that also waited five years to emerge victorious over a title-winning powerhouse — the Choco Mucho Flying Titans.
Former UAAP MVP Sisi Rondina and Choco Mucho erased its own five-year, 12-game skid against sister team Creamline with a rousing five-set, semis-opening win just four days before the Lady Tamaraws’ own Final Four-opening win versus NU.
Tagaod, who also led the team in scoring like Rondina with 12 points, shared how waiting for the right time does pay off while alluding to how success is a process built on the foundations of hard work and a whole lot of patience.
“Ilang taon din ata bago nila (Choco Mucho) nakuha ‘yung panalong ‘yun (against Creamline). Nag-scroll-scroll lang ako sa Facebook and then nakita ko ‘yung interview ni ate Sisi (Rondina). Nakita ko ‘yung statement niya na parang ‘hindi man ngayon ‘yung panahon pero darating at darating din tayo du’n.’ Inantay talaga nila ‘yung araw na ‘yun para manalo sila,” said Tagaod.
This led Tagaod to a stronger belief not only in herself but also in her teammates that breakthroughs are possible as long as they put in the work to make the impossible happen.
“Mas nagtiwala ako sa mga kasama ko kasi nga hindi naman namin minamadali at ginawang process talaga sa ensayo hanggang sa ito na, nakukuha na namin siya (winning form). Kulang na lang na maging consistent kami at mas trabahuin pa,” she added.
Mission not impossible
Losing to NU in straight sets back in their elimination round finale also added fuel to Tagaod’s fire of redeeming FEU in a stage where it matters and counts the most.
“Ginawa kong rin motivation ‘yung pagkatalo nu’ng elimination (round sa NU) and du’n ako mas nagising sa sinabi ni ate Sisi na sa elimination, hindi talaga sila nanalo sa Creamline and then nu’ng semis, nakuha nila.
“Du’n ako mas kumapit and y’ung tiwala ko sa mga kasama ko, sa coaches, sa management and sa sistema namin, talagang nandu’n kaya sa ensayo pa lang talaga, 100 percent na ‘yung energy na binigay namin,” Tagaod shared.
Lo and behold, FEU did beat NU in the Final Four after being dealt defeat in the elimination round just like how Choco Mucho scored a breakthrough win over Creamline after losing to the defending champions in the preliminaries of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The job’s not done, however, for FEU as it’ll need one more Final Four win over NU to reach the Finals for the first time in five years and move one step closer to its quest for an unprecedented 30th UAAP women’s volleyball title.“Hindi pa tapos kasi nga, may Game Two pa. Kailangan muna naming mas trabahuin para ma-claim namin na talagang papasok na kami sa Finals,” said Tagaod.
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