By Andrei M. Barrantes

One round in, and the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws remain in the hunt for a Final Four spot. While they had a stronger showing this time around, there are still some things they have yet to unlock if they want to claim the top spot in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87.

With former head coach Tina Salak back as the main shot-caller and most of the team still intact, the Lady Tams had very few adjustments to make this season.

It showed as more cohesion and chemistry was seen on the taraflex, resulting in an opening scare of last year’s finalist University of Santo Tomas.

After that, they dropped the next two games, one of which was against a struggling University of the Philippines (UP).

But the skid wouldn’t last long, as they went undefeated in a week-long grind with three matches against Adamson University (AdU), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU), and the University of the East (UE).

Salak and crew were on a roll until they stumbled upon a livid De La Salle University (DLSU) squad that sent them packing in three sets and back to training after the early conclusion of their March 15 match.

That opening week painted the picture of how the Lady Tamaraws have performed so far.

While the green-and-gold squad has been statistically competent in most of the skills rankings, their play gets muddled by inconsistency.

Their first round is far from shaky, but the duality between taking the defending champions to five sets and losing to the Fighting Maroons in four is at the very least concerning.

While there is no drastic change needed for FEU, there is still a need for better execution and lineup usage to ensure that their players not only match up well against their opponents but also thrive off one another.

Reinforced and reinvigorated

Aside from Salak returning to lead tactician status with Manolo Refugia remaining in the coaching staff, more additions have been made to bolster the playoff chances for FEU.

With Ann Asis and Karyme Truz out of the lineup, in came Far Eastern University-Diliman standout Clarisse Loresco and former Lady Bulldog Jaz Ellarina.

Ellarina, who has been converted from an opposite hitter back in Jhocson, has had plenty of shining moments so far, including nine points built on five blocks against the Lady Falcons.

Loresco, meanwhile, has showcased flashes of prowess in her limited rookie minutes, including her best game of 11 points with three aces in their loss to UP.

With the middle blocker duo proving to be effective backups to veteran spikers Jean Asis and Mitzi Panangin, FEU ranked as the second-best blocking team so far.

Win-now mode activated

As mentioned with the shirts, FEU has had its eyes set on the title for quite a while now.

Within the team, none might be more hungry for victory than seniors Chenie Tagaod and Jean Asis.

Aside from team captain Tin Ubaldo, the two mainstays have been integral in instilling winning mindsets and being guides to the rookies.

For Asis, looking at every team equally has been their focal point to prevent complacency against the more favorable matchups.

Tagaod, meanwhile, puts a premium on their team chemistry, which is what sets them apart from the rest.

“Madami rin [kaming] pinagdaanan as a team, kaya ‘yun ‘yung pinanghuhugutan ko na hindi dapat kami basta-basta nabubuwag. ‘Yung solid foundation namin and malalim na relationship as a team is really important (We've been through so much as a team, and that’s what I draw strength from—we shouldn’t easily fall apart. Our foundation and deep relationship as a team are really important)," she said.

While the two have been suiting up for FEU ever since their 1-13 performance back in Season 84, things have long been different.

But with the two seniors nearing their graduation from the collegiate scene, they’re all-in on taking it all the way and giving the historic school a new banner to hang on the rafters in their gymnasium.

“Gusto ko lang din maging maganda ‘yung exit ko and mag-leave ng memorable championship sa FEU community (I just want to have a good exit and to leave the FEU community with a memorable championship),” Tagaod said. 

Now that they are reinforced and a few tweaks away from truly making noise in the Final Four and bringing back the crown to Morayta, all eyes are on the Lady Tams and how they will elevate to outplay the rest of the teams.

Their first half of the season has been great, but to achieve the goal of gold, they need to unlock ‘better’ this second round, which begins tomorrow, March 23, with their Mall of Asia Arena rematch against UST.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)