Injured FEU spiker Pons upbeat despite uncertain status for Game 2

Bernadeth Pons. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Far Eastern University was dealt with a huge blow at the worst time as its star hitter Bernadeth Pons injured her left ankle just before the Lady Tamaraws’ semifinals match against the Ateneo Lady Eagles on Monday.

“May biglang tumunog sa ankle niya,” shared FEU coach Shaq delos Santos. “Tapos na yung warm up at pa-start na yung game. Nakatayo lang sya tapos may pumitik. Pag tumatalon lang naman may sakit pero pag naglalakad, wala naman daw.”

Without the team’s leading spiker, the Lady Tamaraws fell to the Lady Eagles, 25-14, 28-26, 25-22, in Game 1 of their best-of-3 semifinals in Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference.

Pons could only shed a tear as she watched from the sidelines, feeling frustrated that she couldn’t help her squad in an all-important duel.

“Kanina, umiyak ako hindi dahil sa sakit, pero dahil sa hindi ako makakatulong sa team. Sabi nga ng mga teammates ko nung nakita nila ako na umiyak, gusto rin na nila umiyak. Naka-apekto na rin talaga kanina sa team,” she said. “Sobrang frustrated ako kasi pinaghandaan namin ito.”

Delos Santos said that the team will know the gravity of Pons’ injury tomorrow.

With her status for Game 2 still in doubt, Pons is positive FEU can still fare well against Ateneo come Wednesday.

“Kanina, hindi lang talaga kami prepared na may kulang. Nabigla lang kami kanina kasi biglaan din ang nangyari,” she said. “Sa Wednesday, baka makapag-adjust na sila dahil mapaghahandaan na. Sobrang tiwala ko sa kanila dahil alam ko na kaya nila.”

Delos Santos echoed Pons’ statements.

“Naniniwala kami na kaya pa rin namin kasi 100 percent ang tiwala namin sa mga bata,” delos Santos said. “Konting adjustment lang sa gagawin namin. Talo talaga kami kanina at wala naman kaming ibang dahilan dun. Ang goal na namin is makuha yung next game.”