IT wasn't the end to the elimination round that Far Eastern University wanted following a five-game win run, but the Lady Tamaraws are ready to take the next step in their bid for a 30th UAAP women’s volleyball championship.
Shortly after a 25-13, 25-17, 25-21 loss to fellow semifinalist National University, first-year FEU coach Manolo Refugia and Chenie Tagaod faced mediamen donning shirts that read, ‘I fight for the Green & Gold’ and ‘Chasing History 30,’ respectively.
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Both Refugia and Tagod had emotional reflections on how the Lady Tamaraws were able to turn around a last-place, one-win campaign in Season 84 to a run to the Final Four in just a little under two years.
No successful team has ever been built overnight, but the FEU pair takes pride in laying down the foundations of what could be a promising few weeks and a fruitful few seasons to come for the winningest UAAP volleyball program.
“Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na ipaglaban ang FEU since then hanggang ngayon. Napakasaya at napakasarap sa feeling kasi ‘yung kwento ng bawat isa sa kanila, ‘yung kwento ng team nu’ng (Season) 84, ‘yung kwento ng team ng last year, kwento ngayon, napaka-overwhelming niya lalo na sa’kin kasi ‘di ba, first year (ko as head coach pero) ‘di pa du’n nagtatapos,. Pakiramdam kong kaya pa, may ibubuga pa,” said Refugia.
“From Season 84 na sobrang layo namin sa gino-goal namin and last year, nabuhayan kami ulit. Ngayon, lumalaban kami sobrang proud ako sa mga kasama ko kasi kahit na gaano kalayo 'yung pinagdadaanan namin, nandito pa rin kami. Nandito lang kami para sa isa’t-isa,” Tagaod added.
Rising from the far east
There could still be at least one match left for the Lady Tamaraws this season depending on how they’ll fare in the Final Four. It now becomes of utmost importance to make the most of a what has nonetheless been a golden run thus far.
“’Yung goal namin ngayon, laging sinasabi sa’min ng coaches namin na ilang games na lang, kailangang ibigay ang best namin and focus namin doon. Ang pagiging student-athletes namin, kailangan naming mas ma-balance pa kasi papasok na ang Final Four,” Tagaod said.
And the first thing they’ll have to do come the semifinals round is to believe that they are able and they belong.
“Gino-goal namin na makabalik ngayon this season sa Final Four. Dati nga, from eighth place tas ngayon ulit, nakabalik na sa Final Four. Sabi nga namin, trabahuhin lang namin. Kung gugustuhin man naming manalo, pukupukan kami sa ensayo and disiplina sa katawan. ‘Yun ang importante. Kailangang mas tibayan dahil mas mabigat ang mga laban sa susunod,” said Refugia.
“Umpisahan muna namin sa maniwala muna. Du’n kami mamunuhunan muna para maipakita namin or mabigay namin kung ano ang performance (na nararapat) sa makakalaban namin,” he added.
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