IMPOSSIBLE is nothing for Far Eastern University in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament as it looks to bring down either National University, University of Sto. Tomas or defending champion La Salle in the Final Four.
Following a five-year absence from the semifinals, now’s the time for the tournament’s winningest team to push its bid for a 30th women’s volleyball crown under first-year head coach Manolo Refugia and Congolose rookie spiker Faida Bakanke.
With one last match week before the postseason, the Lady Tamaraws are no longer in contention for a twice-to-beat advantage and have locked in the fourth seed regardless of how the remaining matches of their fellow semifinalists play out.
READ: FEU rolls to its fifth straight victory at the expense of UP
Nonetheless, it has been pure joy and excitement from the FEU camp with the goal of potentially carrying a seven-game unbeaten run to the Final Four — should the Morayta side get the job done versus joint league-leaders NU Lady Bulldogs in its prelims finale on Wednesday.
“Sa confidence (ng team ngayon), wala akong masabi kasi ang ganda ng training, maganda ‘yung mood, lahat maganda. Talagang gusto nila kung nasaan sila ngayon, kung nasaan na kami ngayon, talagang ginusto rin nila,” said Refugia.
“Mas mag-peprepare pa kami and number one pala, kailangang maging healthy lahat ng players para makapag-prepare kami nang maayos sa kung sinong makakatapat namin sa Final Four. Pero aside from the Final Four, tatapusin muna namin ‘yung second round sa NU game,” he added.
For Bakanke, who has averaged 11.9 points and 3.5 excellent digs thus far in her rookie season for FEU, redemption from her early season struggles has constantly fueled her to hit peak form when it counts most.
“In the second round, I’m very determined to make bawi because in the first round, I did not play (too well). So in the second round, I said I need to make bawi. I’m always talking to Coach (Manolo Refugia) and say I’ll make it bawi, give me all these chances that I need,” said the Congolose spiker.
Pressure on for FEU?
Rather than feeling the pressure ahead of the postseason, Refugia underlined the importance of sticking to their brand of volleyball in the most important matches of their college careers.
“‘Yung pressure, nandyan naman talaga. Pero mas kailangan talaga naming mag-stick sa kung ano ‘yung bilog namin, kung ano ‘yung meron kami, kung ano ‘yung pinagsamahan namin at kung ano ‘yung pinaghirapan namin.
"Mas kailangang dun ako mag-focus kasi mas kontrolado namin ‘yung mga bagay na ‘yun kaysa sa pressure kasi (it’s a) given naman na,” Refugia said. “‘Di lang naman ako siguro (‘yung may pressure), lahat naman.”
Trusting the process will be key now more than ever for the Lady Tamaraws. But for Bakanke, it must first start with the belief that she can and will perform at the highest level.
“I need to be like myself and trust myself, I need to believe in me so I know I can do it,” Bakanke said.
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