Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws Head Coach Tina Salak kept her optimism for the young team despite the season-sweep loss to the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, 21-25, 14-25, 23-25, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 85 women's volleyball tourney held earlier today, April 16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

"Masyadong bata pa ‘yung team, and then ‘yung maturity ‘di pa talaga makita. Pero this season, nakikita mo na ‘yung potential (The team is still too young and the maturity isn't there yet. But you can already see the potential this season)," she said in a post-game interview with FEU Advocate.

The Lady Tams showed better aggression this time around and led by as much as two markers in the first set. Unfortunately, they faltered due to the brick wall-esque defense of the Lady Bulldogs, ending the set 23-25.

Coach Salak added that the Holy Week break helped refresh the team for the remaining slate of games. They also held team film sessions during the break where they analyzed the tendencies and strategies of NU.

"Definitely, ‘yung two-week break malaking bagay para maka-recover sila, and noong two-week break, nag-aral kami ng lahat ng tendencies ng NU, pero ang problem is doon sa side natin. The more na siguro naprepressure sila, the more na nagkakaroon ng maraming mistakes (The two-week break was definitely a big aid  for them to recover, and during the two-week break, we studied all the tendencies of NU, but the problem is on our side. The more they are under pressure, the more they make many mistakes)," she stated.

The green-and-gold volleybelles were unable to carry over the energy and aggression to the second set and lost by a nine-point deficit, 14-25. 

However, FEU kept things interesting in the third set as the team gained momentum after taking the lead at the 21-21 mark, but errors held them off and gave them their sixth loss of the season, 23-25.

Coach Salak added that she aims to win the three remaining games of the season by regrouping and readjusting the Lady Tamaraws.

"Mayroon pa kaming three remaining, so hoping ako dun sa three remaining na 'yon we can get three wins din. Preparation namin is more on pa’no kami makaka-recover ngayon sa loss. Syempre, may pep talk nanaman ‘to, and konting realization. It's more on paano namin pagandahin ‘yung execution this time (We still have three remaining, so I'm hoping that with those three remaining we can get three wins as well. Our preparation is more on how we can recover now from the loss. Of course, there is a pep talk and a little realization. It's more on how we can improve the execution this time)," she added.

Morayta-based spikers Chenie Tagaod and Jovelyn Fernandez both scored seven points on seven attacks, while setter Christine Ubaldo added five markers and 10 excellent sets. 

The Sheila Kiseo-captained team falls to a 5-6 win-loss record and will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles on April 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

-Andrei M. Barrantes

(Photo by Karch Rafael/FEU Advocate)