The fight for the crown in UAAP Season 87 was ultimately decided by mental toughness, and not skills — according to the FEU Tamaraws.
Dryx Saavedra admitted that lack of mental fortitude led to FEU’s frustrating Season 87 finals loss to NU
Despite coming into their championship match against eventual five-peat champions NU as the first seed and the winner of Game 1, FEU faltered in a nip-and-tuck Game 2 before finally succumbing to a lopsided loss in the deciding third game.
In a heartbreaking deja vu moment of missing out on the crown from being booted out in the semifinals the year before, the Tams shrunk under the bright lights when it mattered most.
[READ:
Mikko Espartero, FEU focus on mental toughness for UAAP Season 88]
“'Yung team namin, talagang first time lang nag finals sa UAAP. So, bagong experience sa amin na kahit ako naman, napapaisip na may ganoon pala 'yung feeling na makakapaglaro sa finals,” Saavedra told One Sports during the recent UAAP Content Day.
“Sobrang dami ng tao, grabe 'yung cheer, grabe 'yung pressure. So 'yun talaga 'yung naging kalaban din namin. Kaya naman namin [mag-champion] eh.”
But UAAP Season 88 gives a unique opportunity for Saavedra and company.
That is, now with a finals berth under their belts, there is more experience to go around for the Morayta-based spikers should they get back to that level.
Knowing what to expect, Saavedra believes there will be a better outcome.
“[Natuto kami] kung paano mag-isip sa loob ng court. 'Yan talaga 'yung pinakaimportante,” Saavedra said.
“Kahit gaano ka galing kasi sa skills, kung talagang may kaba ka or takot sa loob ng court, may doubt ka sa sarili mo, talagang hindi mo mapakita 'yung best mo.”
‘Bawi’ mentality
While last season’s heartbreak does serve as a lesson and reminder, Saavedra is cautious to not let it get too much to their heads.
For Saavedra, approaching the new season with a chip on their shoulder will do no good.
Rather, he simply wants to perform his best, especially as he enters the waning years of his collegiate career with the FEU Tamaraws.
“Sa akin siya personally, hindi ko masasabi kung [gusto ko bumawi] eh. Kasi, mas naming ibaba 'yung excitement ko,” he said.
“Talagang gusto ko na kinabukasan, may game na agad. Kasi, nakakamiss din talaga maglaro ng UAAP.”
The FEU Tamaraws test their mettle on opening day against an equally formidable DLSU Green Spikers squad who are entering a new era sans Noel Kampton on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.