Chenie Tagaod was extra motivated during the FEU Lady Tamaraws' sweep of the NU Lady Bulldogs in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Saturday, May 4.
After bowing to National University in straight sets in the first and second rounds, Far Eastern University came alive at the most opportune time to force a do-or-die match in the Final Four of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
The Lady Tamaraws showed their grit after pulling off a stunning sweep against the Lady Bulldogs, 23, 25-17, 25-23, Saturday at the Big Dome, living to fight another day.
Chenie Tagaod led the way for FEU with 12 points built on 10 attacks, one block, and one service ace.
After the match, Tagaod bared her motivation to help the Lady Tamaraws keep their Season 86 campaign alive.
"Sakin, ginawa kong motivation is 'yung pagkatalo talaga [namin] nung elimination [round]," Tagaod said during the post-game press conference.
"Dun kasi ako mas nagising, dun sa sinabi ni ate Sisi Rondina na parang sa elimination hindi talaga sila nanalo sa Creamline and then nung pumasok sila sa semis... nakuha nila, so mas dun ako kumapit," she added.
Just like the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL, FEU finally put it all together to take down a known nemesis at a crucial time.
"Nakita ko kasi siya, nags-scroll lang ako sa Facebook and then nakita ko 'yung interview ni ate Sisi or 'yung statement niya na parang 'yung ibig sabihin nun na parang hindi man ngayon 'yung panahon, pero dadating at dadating tayo dun. Parang inantay talaga nila 'yung araw na 'yun para manalo sila," said Tagaod.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Sisi Rondina, Choco Mucho score historic first win over Creamline to open All-Filipino semis]
With a renewed sense of belief, Tagaod and the rest of the Lady Tamaraws are just one win away from being the first four-seed to make it to the Finals in UAAP women's volleyball history.
"'Yung tiwala ko sa mga kasama ko, sa coaches, sa management, sa sistema namin talagang nandun. Sa ensayo palang talaga 100 percent na 'yung energy na binibigay namin," said Tagaod.
"Mas nagtiwala ako dun sa mga kasama ko kasi nga hindi namin minamadali. Ginawang process talaga, sobra sa ensayo hanggang sa eto na, nakukuha na namin siya. Kulang nalang maging consistent kami and then trabahuin pa talaga," she added.