By Joshua Kyle Beltran
Heading into her third year as Far Eastern University (FEU)’s head coach, Raiza Palmera-Dy prioritizes honing the Lady Tamaraws’ identity in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 89 women’s basketball tournament as they continue their hunt for a semifinals spot.
“Actually, that’s one thing that when I came in and ni-manage ko itong team na ‘to, that’s something na sabi ko I need to address. Because the last past years, before ako nag-takeover they were not able to play in the Final Four. So sabi ko, kailangan ma-develop ‘yung character nila (When I managed this team, I said I needed to address and develop their character. For the past years before I took over, they were not able to play in the Final Four),” she said in the post-game conference of their win against National University (NU) yesterday, October 31.
Time flies
FEU last played in the Final Four in 2018.
And while they have quietly remained in the shadows ever since, one of their closest attempts to return came last Season 88, Palmera-Dy’s second coaching year, where they finished fifth in the standings with a 6-9 win-loss record.
As the team tallied a hot season starter at 2-0, which is also their best since 2018, the Lady Tamaraws are now at a 5-4 sheet — just a dub away from matching their win count last year.
Sure, they could be up more had they closed out their narrow losses, such as their 75-77 Adamson match four days ago, or their last NU matchup, 60-66; but Palmera-Dy wants the team to take it one game at a time.
Even with blowout losses in between their valiant wins, the green-and-gold lead tactician emphasized how such games will continue to serve as important lessons for the Lady Tamaraws to grow and keep up with equally hungry teams.
“These kinds of games will hone them: to mature, how to handle these kinds of situations… I think it’s a learning experience for this team na kailangan namin mapagdaanan (that we need to go through),” she added.
While the Morayta-based cagebelles sometimes struggle to maintain their second half lead, Palmera-Dy still believes that strong defense and physical play will be key to overcoming these mishaps, a reminder she instilled upon the team from the start of the season.
The green-and-gold standard
With the team arguably at their best form since Palmera-Dy took over, it would be a mistake to count FEU out from those who can make the top list.
Once again reiterating the cruciality of winning the recent game, the Lady Tamaraw head coach revealed that the team’s standards are the UAAP’s top contenders.
“Lagi ko sinasabi sa mga (I always tell the) players that our standards should be kung sino ‘yung nasa (whoever is in the) top four, like UST [University of Santo Tomas] or NU. Andun ‘yung goal namin (That is our goal),” she explained.
While this very game served as a ‘testament’ to their capabilities, Palmera-Dy stressed that the green-and-gold cagebelles need to work twice as hard to even keep up with the rest of the league.
“This is just a testament na we can actually do it. It’s just that we need to work hard… Ganun kahirap ‘yung (That’s how hard) basketball for us because we don’t have the height, we don’t have the most talented team. So for us, it worked well, ‘yung game plan namin today,” she said.
Just getting started
In a tournament where teams such as UST, NU, or Ateneo have long been taking center stage, Palmera-Dy’s silent plan of levelling up the FEU women’s basketball program still remains in play.
“The vision is still the same now. We really want to level up the program of women’s basketball in FEU. ‘Yun ang goal namin (That’s our goal),” she shared.
Taking it “one season at a time,” this plan might just be unfolding before we know it.
For as long as the Lady Tamaraws continue to execute their excellent defense, contain their second half collapses, and play as one, the Morayta cagebelles may well be on their way to reclaiming a spot at the top.
(Photo courtesy of the UAAP Media Team)