By Joaquin Luis E. Quesada

After a lackluster University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 84 women’s volleyball campaign, Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws’ Head Coach George Pascua highlighted the experiences are crucial for the Morayta volleybelles in preparation for Season 85.

FEU offered goodbye to their Final Four hopes as they extended their losing skid to 11 games against the University of the East Lady Warriors, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 21-25, last June 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Lady Tams finished Season 84 with a 1-13 win-loss slate, this is the first time that they couldn’t punch a ticket to the Final Four since Season 76 wherein they finished at fifth.

Coach Pascua shifted his focus on exposing his young guns as they need some experience in the volleyball scene at the collegiate level.

“We learned this season very much especially ‘yung mga experiences namin, ‘yung nagawa namin [at] ‘yung nangyari. So it is a learning experience para sa mga bago. So hopefully, by next season, lahat ng mga experiences na ‘yon ay magiging motivation namin (our experiences, the things that we did and happened. So it is a learning experience for the new players. So hopefully, by next season, all of the experiences will serve as our motivation),” Coach Pascua said.

He then added, “kasi skills-wise, alam ko nakikita ko sa training meron sila. Pero iba pa rin talaga ‘yung may experience sa lebel ng kompetisyon (because skills-wise, I know I see them at training that they have that. But, having the experience at that level of the competition is still different).”

The controversial exit of the original skipper Lycha Ebon and Martha Mora midseason became one of the challenges for Lady Tams need to overcome, Shiela Kiseo was appointed as the interim team captain in the process.

“Bilang captain lang po, di ko naman na-trabaho ‘yung trabaho ko, pero pag-sisikapin po namin next season na titibayin pa po namin ‘yung bawat isa, lalo na sa mga nangyayari po sa amin (As the captain, I didn’t do the job that I was supposed to do, but we will try it again next season that will strengthen each other, especially to the events that happened),” Kiseo said.

Even though their season ended in not making it to the Final Four, Coach Pascua still believes in the potential of FEU.

“Pero siyempre di ganon kadali ‘yun, it’s a process. Personally, naniniwala ako na ‘yung potential ng team hanggang sa dulo lalaban pa rin (But of course it is not easy, it’s a process. Personally, I truly believe in the potential of the team until the end they’re still fighting),” Coach Pascua shared.

(Photo by Alyssa Andrea Quiogue/FEU Advocate)