AS if UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball hasn’t been heated enough, the last day of eliminations has a date with destiny up for grabs between Far Eastern University and University of Santo Tomas.
The reward for winning that playoff game on Saturday? The No. 4 spot in the stepladder, another must-win match vs. third-seeded Adamson, and if they do come through, one more knockout bout, this time against two-time defending champion National U.
The stepladder is a rarity in itself, but adding a ‘doorbell’ game before it only adds more fuel to the fire.
But if you’re a supporter of the Tamaraws, you've seen this film before - not too long ago, in fact.
Just a few months back, FEU's men’s basketball team also found itself in the same scenario, as it trudged through a 0-3 beginning before gradually improving its play to remain in the postseason hunt.
In the last day of elims, the Tamaraws defeated, coincidentally, the Growling Tigers to stay alive and kicking. Their fate, though, wasn't entirely in their hands, as they also required Ateneo downing archrival La Salle later in the day.
Janrey Pasaol and Co. did what they needed to do only to see the Green Archers shoot down the Blue Eagles, securing No. 4 and shutting the playoff door on them once and for all.
Months later, the Lady Tamaraws went 1-2 to start the season before getting into their groove and staying in the thick of things.
Still, come the final match day of elims, the green-and-gold had to come through against a spoiler-seeking Ateneo side and then cheer on the Lady Bulldogs against the Golden Tigresses.
Gerz Petallo and crew controlled what they can control and not long after, celebrated as NU tamed UST and, in turn, kept the playoff door ajar for them.
Green, then gold
Unlike Pasaol, Petallo now has a golden opportunity to lead her side to the Final Four - and who knows, maybe even the finals and the championship?
READ: Ubaldo vows FEU will wear its heart on its sleeve in KO bout vs UST
After all, FEU can also look to the men's basketball tournament for inspiration for a title run.
The Green Archers, behind Mike Phillips and Jacob Cortez, went from the lowest rung on the stepladder all the way to the mountaintop - becoming the second four-seed to win it all in the Final Four era.
It's possible. Now, the Lady Tamaraws just need to make the most of this green-and-golden opportunity.
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