By Marcus Isaac D.G. Bandong

Both Far Eastern University (FEU) volleyball team head coaches Eddieson Orcullo and Tina Salak showed their desire to win the championship during the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 collegiate volleyball press conference earlier today, February 11, at the Coral Way Lobby, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Tamaraws head coach Orcullo expressed the team's desire to redeem themselves after a gritty silver finish.

"‘Yung pagkauhaw namin na makuha ulit, sana magkaroon kami ng pagkakataon na ma-showcase ulit 'yung sarili namin, makapasok ulit ng Finals, para kahit papaano makabawi kami (Our thirst to secure that position again, hopefully we get the chance to showcase our skills again in the Finals, to at least redeem ourselves),” he said.

After a fourth-seed finish last Season 87, Lady Tamaraws lead tactician Salak remains focused and will not ‘settle for less’ to secure a Finals spot.

“Lahat ng teams, ang expectations nila siyempre [is] marating din 'yung narating namin. But still, 'di rin kami titigil. For us to be there, kailangan ng full commitment, and sa akin mas more on hunger, kasi ayoko na mag-settle ng less, for me [dapat] ma-embrace nila [ang] achieving more (Every team wants to be in our position last year, however, we're not going to stop. For us to be there, the team needs full commitment, and for me their hunger, I don't want to settle for less, they should embrace achieving more)," she shared.

Adjustments for gold

Following the departure of three key players, Salak gave importance to the squad's devotion in the tourney.

"Three key players nawala last season. From this time, maraming adjustments na ginawa sa mga rookies and also exposure sa kanila. Still, kailangan pa rin ng magli-lead, eh, someone to take the lead doon sa times na medyo shakey kami, gusto ko lang mag-step-up ‘yung iba for them to realize na this is a team competition (Obviously there's a lot of adjustments, most especially when our three key players departed. This time, the major adjustments were for the rookie's exposure. Still, we need someone who's going to lead, someone to keep the team afloat when we're getting shakey, I also want the other players to step for them to realize that this is a team competition),” she said.

Meanwhile, Orcullo emphasized refining the technical aspects of their game, positioning themselves for a sustained title run. 

To reward honesty and integrity, the UAAP introduced the ‘green card’ system rewarding players for voluntarily acknowledging a block touch or a net touch. At the end of the season, the player with the most green cards will be given the Sportsmanship Award.

Both Morayta-based squads will start off the tournament against De La Salle University on Saturday, February 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)