With the Final Four slot secured, the FEU Lady Tamaraws are out to achieve even more in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament progresses.
After overcoming the University of Santo Tomas in five sets, Far Eastern University proved that it is capable of beating the higher-seed schools in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
Not only did the Lady Tamaraws avenge their first-round heartbreak against the Golden Tigresses, FEU also secured the last Final Four slot in Season 86, making the win even more special for coach Manolo Refugia.
"Napaka-sarap ng feeling kasi siyempre 'yung glory days ng FEU, parang pilit namin binabalik [tas] ngayon nandito na kami dun sa Final Four nga. Masaya pero hindi pa natatapos trabaho eh, nandito na kami. Eh 'di mangarap na kami ng sobra-sobra pa," Refugia said during the post-game press conference.
FEU last beat UST back in the first round of Season 81. The win was made all the more sweeter, as the Lady Tamaraws entered the Final Four--a feat last achieved back in Season 81.
The win also meant so much more for Jean Asis, who came up clutch in the fifth set with six points, as this also proved that FEU can compete against the other title-contending teams in the league.
"Wala namang imposible sa mga bagay-bagay. Kung na-beat namin 'yung top one ngayon, why not sa ibang teams? Basta tiyagaan lang at sipagan lang at tiwala sa bawat isa, siguro naman mangyayari 'yung kung ano dapat mangyari," said Asis.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: FEU hungry to defeat UST after five-set heartbreak in first round]
Sitting with a 7-4 record, the Lady Tamaraws still have three more games to further improve their record heading into the Final Four.
That's why Refugia is hoping that his team will ride this momentum to exceed expectations even further in Season 86.
"Malaking morale sa amin ito na makamit itong panalo, napaka-sarap," said Refugia. "Mas mamomotivate kami kasi kailangan pa namin i-exceed 'yung goal na Final Four. May remaining games pa kami na kailangan paghandaan so focus pa rin doon."
Up next for FEU will be the University of the East on Wednesday, April 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao at 4:00 p.m.