FEU Lady Tamaraws coach Manolo Refugia during a UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four match against NU Lady Bulldogs.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws proved that they are more than just a darkhorse contender after stunning the top-seeded National University Lady Bulldogs in straight sets to inch closer to the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Finals.
FEU stayed true to its promise that it won’t be contented with just a Final Four comeback, dominating NU, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, to force a do-or-die Final Four match on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Ang masasabi ko lang, wag nating kakalimutan na may FEU,” said FEU rookie coach Manolo Refugia.
UAAP SCHEDULE: Season 86 volleyball Final Four
Prior to the season, many believed Season 86 would just be a three-way race between NU, La Salle and University of Santo Tomas.
Although they were dominated by the Lady Bulldogs in the first two rounds and lost their last six meetings, the Lady Tamaraws, led by Tin Ubaldo’s brilliant playmaking, heeded Refugia’s challenge to dare to dream and believe in themselves.
“Training palang, nafeel namin na makukuha talaga namin ‘to eh. So, talagang nagtranslate lang sa training, nabigay lahat ng ni-review, lahat ng pinagaralan namin, binigay ng team ngayon,” said the youthful coach.
FEU Lady Tamaraws during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
READ: UAAP women’s volleyball: FEU forces Final Four decider, upsets NU
FEU has a chance to become the first fourth seed to enter the UAAP women’s volleyball finals, get a shot at title No. 30 and the school’s first championship appearance after six years.
But Refugia urged his wards to stay focused and keep their feet on the ground with one more match on Wednesday at the Big Dome.
“Mataas yung emotions pero sabi nga, job’s not finished pa so kailangan pa trabahuhin, konti nalang naman eh. Sakripisyo,” the FEU coach said. “Hindi kami makakalimot na tumapak pa rin sa lupa. Parang yung feeling nasa cloud nine, so kailangan bumalik ulit and hindi pa tapos talaga so, meron pa, kaya pa, may ibubuga pa. Laban talaga.”
“Sa Wednesday, kung sino talaga may gusto, kung sino yung mataas yung pinanghuhugutan, kung sino talaga may will na manalo, yun talaga,” he added.
Refugia offers its next game — their most important match yet — to the FEU faithful.
“Sa FEU community, maraming salamat sa supporta. Yung mga FEU hanggang dulo, talagang kung sila pinaglalaban nila kami, so ipaglalaban din namin yung FEU,” Refugia said.