With the FEU Lady Tamaraws gearing up for round two of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament, former Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Player of the Week (POW) Gerzel Petallo emphasized the green-and-gold team’s stronger tenacity for success.

“I am grateful and proud of what we’ve reached this round but for sure, we won’t stop and [we will be] hungrier in [the] second round,” Petallo mentioned in an interview with FEU Advocate. 

With the volleybelle receiving her first-ever CPC POW recognition last March 10, the athlete looked back on all the sacrifices she has made for the Morayta-based squad with one common goal in mind for the season.

“It was all about the sacrifices for the team. Waking up so early to train and giving my all, those restless and tiring scrimmages, all [the] sweat and soreness I've encountered—it’s all worth it lalo na buong week kami nanalo (especially since we won the entire week),” the outside hitter said.

To begin Petallo’s POW campaign last March 2, the Lady Tamaraws ignited a win streak in a five-set nail-biter game against the Ateneo Blue Eagles, with the outside hitter scoring an impressive 18 points, all from attacks.

Petallo wasted no time replicating her dominant performance as FEU easily overpowered the University of the East in a set sweep last March 5. She led the charge, delivering 12 points and eight digs.

The POW continued her on-court brilliance by spearheading with 16 points and 15 excellent receptions contra Adamson University last March 8, capping off an outstanding week. 

Despite her individual success, the emerging best scorer remained grounded as she reminded everyone that her performance would not have been possible without the team’s collective effort. 

“By those numbers, I can assure that I can contribute more. But then I can't do it without them,” she added.

Petallo currently ranks 17th among the league's best scorers with 80 total points, having averaged 15.3 points during here POW campaign.

Despite her success, the standout volleybelle refuses to be complacent, viewing FEU’s impressive three-game streak as just the beginning for a team driven to achieve even greater success.

“Expect that we’re more hungry sa panalo. We know our capabilities and strength sa team as well as the weaknesses. Kaya mas lalo pa naming labanan lahat-lahat (Expect that we’re hungrier for more wins. We know our capabilities and strengths in the team as well as the weaknesses. So we know we can fight for more),” she said.

Unfortunately, Petallo and the Morayta-based volleybelles ended round one with a loss, with Petallo closely trailing Faida Bakanke as the best scorer against De La Salle University last Saturday, March 15, placing them at the four-seed with a 4-3 win-loss record going into the next round.

-  Krizza Gabrielle Tabora
(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)