The FEU Lady Tamaraws grapple with short turnarounds between matches as the first half of UAAP Season 87 nears its end.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws are admittedly struggling with frequent games as they near the end of their first round campaign in UAAP Season 87, having played their fifth game of the season on Wednesday, beating the UE Lady Warriors in straight sets at the Mall of Asia Arena.
That is, they’ve had to deal with playing two games a week more often than not in the first half of the women’s volleyball tournament.
[READ: FEU keeps UE at bay, nabs back-to-back victories in UAAP Season 87]
Now that may not be too eye-popping, but considering that her players are student-athletes, FEU head coach Tina Salak had more than a few choice words when it comes to how her team has had to deal with the brunt of games.
“Kami lang ata yung may ganitong schedule, nakakatampo,” quipped Salak.
“Parang first week namin three games, pahinga kami isang week tapos three games ulit in a week.”
True enough, FEU played its first three games in a span of eight days before having one of the more lengthier breaks. The Lady Tamaraws then play their third game in six days on Saturday, March 8, after playing on Wednesday and last Sunday.
Despite this, Salak said her girls are continuing to push, which in turn has inspired her to continue on the path, especially as they have now began their first win streak of the season with back-to-back victories.
“Yun iyong pinaka maganda sa trabaho namin, laban lang. Namo-motivate kami doon sa ginagawa din ng mga bata. Nai-inspire din ako kasi, most especially pag yung training namin [umaabot] madaling araw, yung sacrifices nila and pati yung sacrifices nila sa ensayo, sa [school], [pa]pasok,” said Salak.
At the end of the day, though, Salak would’ve liked more rest days for her team, considering that they are also eyeing quality performances for a chance to qualify for the Final Four.
But with nagging injuries and tough opponents left on their schedule in Adamson and La Salle, Salak can only hope that they are able to pull through in spite of everything.
“[I’m] looking forward syempre mas maganda yung ganitong trend. Naga-eye kami makapasok ng Final Four, kailangan yung the rest of the remaining games maipanalo namin,” said Salak.
“Pero hindi madali yun. Hindi madali. Going against Adamson, yung last two remaining games namin, Adamson and La Salle so medyo mabigat,” she added
Currently touting a 3-2 record, FEU hopes to continue on its upward trend when the Lady Tamaraws face the Lady Falcons next on Saturday, March 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena.