By Angel Joyce C. Basa

After five seasons with Far Eastern University (FEU), senior Lady Tamaraw Tin Ubaldo imparted her lessons to the team after her last collegiate game in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women's volleyball tourney today, April 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Lagi kong sinasabi talaga [na] ‘yung discipline talaga, ‘di lang sa loob ng court, [kung hindi] pati sa labas kung ano ‘yung agenda or kung paano kayo sa every day. ‘Yun kasi ‘yung importante kapag athlete ka, ‘yung every day na ginagawa niyo inside and outside the court (I always tell them about discipline, not only inside the court, but also on the outside or on who they are every day. That is what’s important when you are an athlete, what you do every day whether inside or outside the court),” she said in the postgame conference.

The senior setter ended her UAAP career with FEU as the fifth seed after a heartbreaking loss against University of Santo Tomas (UST), 25-16, 20-25, 18-25, 16-25, conceding the last semis spot of Season 88.

During their game against the Golden Tigresses earlier today, Ubaldo tallied 15 excellent attacks, alongside two attacks and a block. She also finished the eliminations round as the fourth best setter, averaging 3.75 per set.

In the same interview, she also confirmed that she will be pursuing her professional volleyball career by participating in the upcoming Premier Volleyball League season draft combine scheduled on May 28 to 29.

The Morayta-based volleybelle began her journey with FEU back in Season 84. In Seasons 86 and 87, she led the squad as team captain and helped steer back-to-back Final Four appearances.

With five UAAP seasons and two semifinal experiences under her sleeve, Ubaldo shared her learnings from being in the green-and-gold team.

“‘Yung character talaga ‘yung na-build ko sa FEU. Mula first year hanggang fifth year, na-develop ko talaga ‘yung iba’t ibang positive na character saka attitude, towards sa sarili at saka towards sa kasama (The character is what I really built in FEU. From the first year until the fifth year, I developed a lot of positive characters and attitudes, towards myself and to others),” she stated.

The former team captain also added that she is grateful to all of the coaches who have guided her throughout her time in Morayta.

With the senior turning pro and Gerzel Petallo and Jaz Ellarina unsure of their next move, the Lady Tamaraws now focus on recovering and recalibrating to brave a redemption feat in the coming seasons.

(Photo by James Neil Tamayo/FEU Advocate)