UAAP: No shortage of inspiration for Tagaod in leading FEU to victory

FEU Lady Tamaraws’ Chenie Tagaod reacts during a UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four match against the NU Lady Bulldogs.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Chenie Tagaod drew inspiration from Choco Mucho’s breakthrough win over Creamline in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference as she led Far Eastern University’s straight-set stunner over National University to force a decider in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tagaod led the Lady Tamaraws’ collective effort to end the No. 1 Lady Bulldogs’ seven-game winning streak, 25-23, 25-17, 25-23, and inch a win closer to the Finals.

Behind her inspired game was Choco Mucho picking the perfect time to end a 12-game skid to Creamline in the semifinals with Sisi Rondina leading the way.

READ: UAAP women’s volleyball: FEU forces Final Four decider, upsets NU

“Ang tagal bago nila nakuha yung panalong yun so nakita ko kasi siya nung nagsscroll ako sa Facebook nakita ko yung interview ni ate Sisi na hindi man ngayon yung panahon pero dadating at dadating tayo doon. Inantay talaga nila yung araw na yun para manalo sila,” said the third-year wing spiker, who is looking to power FEU to its first finals berth since 2018.

“Hindi talaga sila nanalo sa Creamline and then nung semis nakuha nila.”

Chenie Tagaod.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Prior to this game, FEU got swept by NU in the elimination round and has yet to beat the Bulldogs in six games since Season 81 in 2019.

Seeing the Flying Titans end their losing streak made Tagaod believe in herself and her teammates. 

READ: UAAP: FEU proves status as legit title threat with win over NU

“Mas kumapit ako and yung tiwala ko sa mga kasama ko, sa coaches, sa management sa sistema namin talagang nandun and sa ensayo pa lang talaga 100 percent na yung energy na binigay namin,” she said.

“Mas nagtiwala ako sa mga kasama ko kasi hindi naman namin minamadali, ginawang process talaga sobra sa ensayo hanggang sa ito na nakuha na namin siya. Kulang na lang maging consistent kami and trabahuin pa talaga.”

With a chance to enter the finals, Tagaod vows to work harder as they face NU on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

“Hindi pa tapos kasi may Game 2 pa kailangan muna namin mas trabahuin para maclaim namin na talagang papasok na kami sa finals,” Tagaod said. “Mapapangako lang namin hangga’t hindi pa tapos bibigay namin yung best namin at lahat ng meron kami.”