The FEU Lady Tamaraws inch closer to securing the last Final Four slot after taking down the Adamson Lady Falcons in straight sets in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Tuesday, April 9.
After two seasons on the outside looking in, Far Eastern University is nearing its return to the Final Four after sweeping Adamson University, 25-19, 25-23, 25-23, in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, April 9.
Sitting with a 6-4 record after their win over the Lady Falcons, the Lady Tamaraws certainly have the inside track on the coveted final slot in the next round as they are a full three games clear of no. 5 Ateneo with four matches left on the schedule.
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For veteran Chenie Tagaod, who has been with FEU since Season 84, a return to the Final Four has been something they've been aspiring to since entering the league.
Tagaod finished with 12 points on nine attacks, one block, and two service aces against Adamson, doing her part in trying to make that goal come to fruition.
As strong as FEU looks this year, the Lady Tamaraws' resurgence actually started last season following the arrival of coach Tina Salak, now ultimately bearing fruit under coach Manolo Refugia's guidance.
"Nung unang pasok ko sa FEU, 'yung goal lang namin [ay] di baleng manalo basta may napikon kami," Tagaod laughingly said during the post-game press conference. "'Yun kami dati pero nung tumagal nang tumagal, pumasok si coach Tina, hinandle ni coach Nols."
"Talagang ngayon excited na excited kami and pagtatrabahuan talaga namin," she added on targeting the Final Four.
Veteran Jean Asis, who added 10 markers in the win, likewise remains determined that FEU can do more than just making it to the Final Four.
The prospect of doing more than just advancing fuels the team in the homestretch of the season.
"Sobrang determinado kami makapasok ng Final Four finally after two seasons," said Asis. "Sobrang ginawa naming inspiration yung mga nagdaang season since hindi kami nakapasok and grabe din 'yung mga paghihirap namin para makapasok sa Final Four."
"Now na nandito 'yung Final Four, mas ina-aim pa namin na i-push 'yung sarili namin na hindi 'yung Final Four [makuha] namin kundi makarating din sa podium finish," she added.
Up next for FEU will be a rematch against the University of Santo Tomas, whom they fell short in their first-round encounter in five sets, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Pasay on Saturday, April 13.