Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraw Shiela Mae Kiseo made the decision to continue playing and lay the groundwork as a veteran for the green-and-gold community for one more year in the upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 women's volleyball tourney.

“Gusto ko pa pong makatulong sa team bilang ate po nila kasi nandoon pa po kasi ‘yung eagerness po namin bumawi as a team (I still want to help the team as their sister because our eagerness to recover as a team is still there),” she said in an online interview with FEU Advocate.

After serving as interim team captain in lieu of Lycha Ebon in UAAP Season 84, Kiseo fully assumed the position of team captain in Season 85.

The green-and-gold squad finished streets ahead last season with a 6-8 win-loss record with the help of their former head coach Tina Salak prior to closing UAAP Season 84 from the bottom of the barrel at 1-13. 

“Sobrang laki po ng naging improvement ng team even though po new systems, new coaches, and rebuilding po kami. Nakakaproud lang po and thankful po kami sa mga coaches namin na ‘di nagsasawang gabayan po kami (The improvement of the team is huge, even though we have new systems, new coaches, and are rebuilding. We are very proud of what we have accomplished, and we are very grateful to our coaches that never ceased to guide us),” she added.

With Coach Salak's sudden departure, the Morayta-based volleybelles have yet another new system waiting for them in season 86. Although it appears that the rebuild may take longer than expected, the Lady Tams will try to maintain this newfound energy under interim Head Coach Manolo Refugia.

Kiseo expressed her eagerness to embrace her role as the guide as they try to bring FEU back to the final four. 

The 22-year old added that she still has plenty left in the tank as a Lady Tamaraw before moving on to the next chapter of her career.

“Kaya po nakapagdecide rin ako maglaro pa ng one year kasi parang feel ko po na ‘di pa po ako na-satisfied sa pagiging atleta ko bago ako pumasok sa next chapter of my life (That's why I decided to play one more year because I feel like I'm not satisfied with being an athlete before I enter the next chapter of my life),” she added.

Although there are still no announcements on whether or not she will retain the role of team captain, the green-and-gold spiker is dedicated to helping the squad advance regardless of what role she will assume.

-Leiniel A. Santos 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)