IF there’s one thing Far Eastern University proved in its straight-sets upset of top-seed National University, it’s that there’s no counting the Lady Tamaraws out.
Probably just an afterthought in the overwhelming hype of what many believed would be a title showdown between top two seeds NU and University of Santo Tomas, FEU has suddenly entered the picture after putting the Lady Bulldogs' title hopes in jeopardy.
The win came as a total surprise as just over a week ago NU dominated FEU in straight sets to complete a seven-game sweep of the second round of UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball championship.
READ: FEU keeps title hopes alive by whipping NU in straight sets
FEU apppeared as a mere onlooker, having secured the fourth seed much earlier, and it watched as La Salle, NU and University of Sto. Tomas took the spotlight with each one battling furiously to gain the twice-to-beat advantage.
NU topped that battle and, along with UST, gained the twice-to-beat bonus. Whether the race for the top spot affected its performance against FEU is for game experts to determine.
But what happened in the semifinals, in which a loss would have ended FEU's season and NU advancing to the final, was the opposite with the Lady Tams dominating the La Sallians in straight sets, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23.
First-year FEU head coach Manolo Refugia made it clear that his wards didn’t come this far just to become someone else's stepping stone to glory.
“Ang masasabi ko lang, ‘wag nating kakalimutan na may FEU. ‘Yun lang,” said Refugia.
According to Refugia the school’s ‘Be Brave’ mantra resonated deep in the minds and hearts of the team — equipping them with confidence entering its must-win battle against the top-seeds.
“Talagang ginusto naming (manalo). Pumunta kami, nag-ensayo kami, ginusto talaga nila. Naniwala sila na kaya nila, na kaya ng team, na kaya naming lahat na talunin talaga ‘yung NU,” Refugia said.
“Training pa lang, na-feel namin na makukuha talaga namin ‘to at talagang nag-translate sa training. Lahat ng ni-review at lahat ng pinag-aralan namin, binigay ng team ngayon,” he added.
‘Job’s not finished’
A breakthrough Final Four win of such magnitude obviously gave FEU the confidence it needed. But with one more win needed and a 30th women’s volleyball title still the ultimate goal, Refugia reiterated how there’s no room to rest on their laurels.
“Mataas ‘yung emotions (dahil sa panalo na ‘to) pero sabi ko nga, the job’s not finished pa so kailangan pa ring trabahuhin.
“Hindi kami makakalimot na tumapak pa rin sa lupa. Parang ‘yung feeling kasi, nasa cloud nine, so kailangang bumalik ulit dahil hindi pa tapos talaga," the first-year FEU mentor said.
Not lost in the team's drive towards its goal is its bid to give something back to the FEU community which has been behind them through thick and thin -- during the time they suffered 13 elimination round defeats and four years of not making it to the semis.
“Sa FEU community, maraming salamat sa supporta, sa mga (naniniwalang) FEU hanggang dulo. Talagang kung sila pinaglalaban nila kami, ipaglalaban din namin ‘yung FEU,” Refugia said.
“Kung sino talaga may gusto, kung sino ‘yung mataas ‘yung pinanghuhugutan, kung sino talaga may will na manalo, ‘yun talaga (mananalo).”
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