CLOSING IN ON 30
It has been almost two decades since Far Eastern University (FEU) last brought home the UAAP women’s volleyball gold.
Success has come few and far between since then, with the Lady Tamaraws’ last shot at a title coming seven years ago.
And since then, the Lady Tams have never made it back to the Final Four, save for last year when they lost to eventual champion National U in a stint that announced their return as contenders.
Far Eastern has managed to sustain that tag, and on Wednesday moved within a win from sealing a second straight semifinal stint after closing the doors on Ateneo, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22, 25-13, in Season 87 eliminations at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
But even with the wind on her team’s sails, Chenie Tagaod would rather be sure before proclaiming anything.
“I am happy that our efforts are bearing fruit,” Tagaod, after pouring in 12 points, said in Filipino. “But we first need to win this Saturday to secure our Final Four spot.”
The Tamaraws will battle Shaina Nitura and surprising Adamson in a game that could seal the deal before the league goes on a Holy Week break.
And if they don’t get the Final Four slot in that game, second-running La Salle is next, with the Lady Spikers also seeing that matchup as a must-win to keep an inside track on the second twice-to-beat privilege.
Far Eastern is pinning its hopes of a 30th title on this bunch coached by Tina Salak, who is trying to balance the expectations and talks of a title with a lot more games left to be played.
For now, what the legendary playmaker, who guided FEU to championships in 1998 and 2001, can say is that the team is ready to go to battle.
“If I can move us closer. I’ll just move us closer,” Salak said. “For me, as being one of the members back then of the FEU volleyball program, I have the chance to give [the school its] 30th [championship], it will be a milestone for my career.
“I can’t forget about the trust that FEU has given me to handle this team,” Salak said. “I will always give back to the community whatever I can give.”
After three tightly contested sets, FEU broke free and went on a blistering 13-5 finishing kick off Faida Bakanke and Gerzel Petallo’s heroics to improve to 8-4 (win-loss) while snuffing out the Lady Eagles’ own Final Four hopes.
Bakanke had 19 points, while Petallo chipped in 13 points to go with 12 digs and 14 receptions for the Lady Tamaraws.
