Tina Salak couldn't be any prouder of the fight shown by the FEU Lady Tamaraws during the Final Four thriller against the NU Lady Bulldogs in UAAP Season 87.
So close yet so far for the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
The Lady Tamaraws nearly forced a rubber match against the NU Lady Bulldogs, but ultimately came up short, falling in five sets 25-20, 25-22, 23-25, 14-25, 15-17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Saturday, May 3.
[ALSO READ: Defending champ NU completes reverse sweep vs FEU, advances to UAAP Season 87 Finals]
Despite another heartbreak in the Final Four, head coach Tina Salak believes her team is closer than ever to breaking through, emphasizing the growth of the program she has helped shape over the past three seasons.
“From eighth place to fifth, and now two straight Final Four appearances,” Salak said during the team’s exit interview. “Ang ganda nung programa na na-build namin. Siguro hindi pa ngayon, pero next year? Kayang kaya na.”
During the match, FEU built a two-set lead before NU came alive to push them to the Finals.
For Salak, pushing the defending champions to the limit was definitely a bright spot. She later pointed to the Lady Tamaraws’ victory over the DLSU Lady Spikers in the elimination round as a turning point.
“Nakita namin y'ung character ng team. Binaon namin ‘yon hanggang sa semis. NU is a strong, champion team—but we were right there,” said Salak.
FEU will now look ahead to Season 88. However, it’s still unclear whether fourth-year players Chenie Tagaod, Tin Ubaldo, and Jean Asis will return to Morayata.
Nonetheless, the Lady Tamaraws have a bright future ahead of them with rookies like Lopez, Miranda, and Loresco emerging as key contributors throughout the tournament.
“Noong dumating sila Love [Lopez], si Kaka [Miranda], si Clarisse [Loresco], hindi namin ine-expect na ganon kaganda agad ang performance nila. Yung seniors talaga tinulungan silang mag-shine.”
Though FEU won’t be playing in the Finals just yet, Salak is confident their time is coming.
“Ang daming reasons para maging proud. The way this team has grown,” said Salak. “Next year, it’s a different story. Next year, kaya na talaga.”