By Krizza Gabrielle Tabora

Amid the intensity of the Final Four race, fans often forget that the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws are not just scoring machines, but are still human. For green-and-gold team captain Gerzel Petallo, she emphasizes that displaying unbridled spirit and emotion is what makes them stronger. 

A relentless barrage of online criticism often targets these student-athletes, with various comments from the public demanding that they leave their feelings off the court to focus solely on the game. 

Yet technical skill is only one facet of their capabilities, while their character both on and off the court brings them lessons that they have to face the hard way in order to grow.

Taking accountability for every point

After unforced errors took control of the team, it led to a straight-set loss during a must-win match against Adamson University last April 18.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Petallo emphasized that while taking accountability for every point, showing emotions is also crucial as part of their character development.  

“We take accountability sa ganung loss na, oo nga, it’s important na nagpapakita rin kami ng emotions, character. Character development namin ‘to. Lesson learned talaga ‘yung mga ganitong bagay and sana sa mga gan’tong situation or scenario, I hope na lesson na nga siya sa’min, sana matutunan rin namin kung pa’no namin siya i-handle next time (We take accountability for that kind of loss, that it is important that we show our emotions and character. This serves as our character development. These things are real lessons and I hope that in these scenarios, we truly learn from them and figure out how to handle things better next time),” she stated.

Despite the loss, Petallo also underscored the team’s mindset of ‘faith over fear’ as they head into their next and final game of the elimination round. 

As the Lady Tamaraws aim to give their all, the team captain aims to shift the team’s focus towards working on mental fortitude and recovery. 

“Mindset po talaga, tapos recovery. Ayun po talaga ‘yung biggest na iwo-work on namin — more on mental na talaga siya (It really comes down to mindset and recovery. Those are the biggest areas we need to work on — it’s more about the mental game now),” she shared. 

Showing up when it matters

Despite an uncertain semis appearance this season, the Morayta-based team captain acknowledged the increasing number of supporters from the FEU community compared to her first playing year for the green-and-gold squad.

“Grateful and thankful talaga ako sa mga sumusuporta sa’min kasi nung first year pa po ako, sobrang konti… Tapos ngayon, parang nade-develop na siya [simula] nung nag-Final Four kami. Parang two years na kami nag-Final Four [at] sobrang grateful at thankful ako na ginagawan talaga nila ng paraan, ginagawan talaga nila ng effort para madagdagan ‘yung fans [at] ‘yung mga supporters (I am grateful and thankful to those who support us because when I was in my first year, there were so few... and now, it seems like it’s developing since we made the Final Four; we've been in the Final Four for two years now, and I'm so grateful and thankful that they find a way, they really put in the effort to increase the fans, the supporters),” she shared.

As they await their Final Four fate, the Lady Tamaraws will face Ateneo de Manila University later today, April 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. 

In an environment that demands robot-like composure, Petallo and the Lady Tamaraws are actively dismantling the ‘impassive’ narrative. By wearing their hearts on their sleeves, they aim to show that passion and vulnerability are elements that contribute to what makes them stronger — whether they win or lose.

(Photo by Shane Claudine Rodulfo/FEU Advocate)