George Pascua returned to his alma mater with a Far Eastern University team already stacked with experience and talent that emanated from a quiet star who needs just enough push to get to the main spotlight.
Bernadeth Pons, who silently crept into the MVP conversation of Season 79, became a legitimate superstar under Pascua as the Lady Tamaraw featured in the top five of three major categories after the eliminations.
And Pascua believes it’s high time for Pons to become the queen of the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament.
“She deserves to win the MVP,” said Pascua in a chat with Inquirer. “You know how she works, you really can’t measure her heart and her dedication.”
After the 14 games of eliminations, Pons averaged 15.38 points to become the fourth-best scorer of the league behind Cherry Rondina, Jaja Santiago, and Diana Carlos.
Pons was also the third-best digger on 3.71 excellent digs per set and the third-best receiver with an efficiency rating of 45.16 percent.
Ahead of Pons in the defensive areas are the UAAP’s best liberos in Kath Arado and Dawn Macandili.
Pons, though, doesn’t look at the MVP plum as the high prize for her this season as the title is the all-important piece of hardware she wants to take home.
“That’s just a bonus for me,” said Pons. “My focus is what I will do every game, do my job as the team captain, my job as a senior because I’m one of the people that my teammates rely on.”