By Joshua Kyle Beltran

Now in a state of adjustments, Melody Pons stepped up to her role to boost the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws over the University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, in their first game of the second round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tourney earlier today, March 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“Sobrang thankful po ako sa opportunity na binigay ni Coach Tina [Salak] and sa mga coaches po na nagtiwala sa akin… Sabi nga ni Coach [Salak], hindi madali ‘yung adjustment, so ‘wag namin gawing joke kung anong binibigay sa amin na role. In-embrace ko po ‘yung binigay sa’kin ni Coach T (I am thankful for the opportunity and trust given to me. Like what coach said, the adjustments made were not easy, so we should take it seriously. I embraced that role),” spiker Melody Pons said in the postgame conference.

Even without team captain Gerzel Petallo starting for the team, FEU anchored behind Pons’ offense to lead by as large as 12 in the opening set, 15-3.

Sure enough, Faida Bakanke kept the lead at double digits with a midcourt hit, 25-11.

With their bench players now in rotation, the Lady Tamaraws leaned on sets from Karyll Miranda and Kyle Pendon’s cross-court hit, 11-4.

To seal the second set, Ann Asis struck with a subtle attack, 25-15.

It was at the start of the third set in which the green-and-gold volleybelles saw its closest gap between the Lady Warriors, 8-9.

Even with a successful block touch challenge from the Morayta-based squad, 15-13, FEU still could not shake off a back-and-forth tango with UE, 20-20.

Taking matters into her own hands, Bakanke attacked the back court to claim a straight-set win, 25-22. 

Bakanke and Jaz Ellarina both put in double digit scores with 14 and 11 markers, respectively. Meanwhile, Pons chipped in nine excellent digs and five excellent receptions with nine points. 

Salak spoke highly of Pons’ energy on and off the court, emphasizing its positive impact on the team.

“Binibigyan lang din namin ng importance ‘yung timing. ‘Yung role niya, kahit limited minutes, pero once na nag-step in [siya] sa court, ang laki kasi ng impact niya… Iba ‘yung nagiging vibe, iba ‘yung nagiging harmony. ‘Yung role niya, with or without numbers, napaka-crucial sa amin, at napakaimportante rin sa amin ‘yun (We give importance to timing. Pons’ role, even if its limited playing time, is impactful. The vibe and the harmony heightens. With or without points, her role is important),” she said.

Meanwhile, the green-and-gold lead tactician also provided an update for Petallo’s injury.

“No surgery… happy na kami dun, but ‘yung recovery, siyempre, hindi pa natin alam. But we’re targeting at least [before] the National University (NU) game. No pressure with Gerzel, of course. Nasa kaniya naman ‘yun kung paano niya iha-handle ‘yung situation ngayon, ‘yung injuries niya (We’re happy that there is no surgery involved, but her return is indefinite. While our target is before the NU game, no pressure, of course. It’s up to her on how she’ll handle the situation),” Salak shared.

Now riding on a 5-3 win-loss record, the Lady Tamaraws will put their adjustments further to the test as they seek revenge against National University on Sunday, March 22, at the same venue.
(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)