The FEU Tamaraws get a measure of revenge against the NU Bulldogs after a four-set win in their first round encounter in UAAP Season 88.
The FEU Tamaraws eased their mind off frustrations when they headed into a finals rematch with five-time defending champions NU Bulldogs for their first round encounter in UAAP Season 88 on Saturday, February 21, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite flashes of deja vu from their Game 3 loss in UAAP Season 87 which happened in the same venue, FEU kept themselves focused on what was in front of them.
Rather than being obsessed with getting back at their opponents, the Tamaraws kept focused on themselves.
Sophomore hitter Amet Bituin said that it was key for them that they had a good time in playing, and didn’t really worry about the result or what had happened in the past.
“Kanina sa game, sobrang nageenjoy lang kami sa loob. Wala kami ibang iniisip kundi yun, napagmeetingan na din kasi namin na mas buo kami. Kaya magenjoy kami and effort lang kada puntos,” Bituin said after the match.
Bituin rose to the occasion with 16 points, being one of four FEU players in double-digit scoring.
Lirick Mendoza led the cavalry with his 17 markers, while Dryx Saavedra and Doula Ndongala had 15 and 14 points, respectively in a win that gave the Tams the early leadin the standings at 3-0.
Almost a year removed from a stinging defeat, Bituin vowed that he wasn’t going to let their fate stay the same.
“Nung last kasi na nakalaban namin sila, parang ang daming lessons ko na natutunan. As a rookie noon, kaya sabi ko, the next time na maghaharap harap kami, hindi ko na papabayaan na mangyari ulit yun,” he said.
“Gagawin ko lahat yung best ko para makatulong sa team. Lagi naman namin pinaguusapan na kailangan maging buo lang talaga kami para magawa namin yun nang tulong tulong at sama sama,” he continued.
Brushing off expectations
While most coaches would push his players to use heartbreak as fuel, FEU head coach Eddieson Orcullo had told his players to keep a clear mind.
Rather than latch on to misfortunes that had cost them the championship, Orcullo and the rest of his staff were dead set on performing their game plan.
After the match, the tactician said that it all worked in their favor.
“Makikita naman sa body language ng bawa’t isa. Gusto namin makuha ulit, makabawi kami dun sa last season na nangyari. Siguro, over emotions, dapat utak muna yung paganahin muna namin eh. Kasi pag nauuna yung emotion, medyo mahirap din samin,” said Orcullo.
“Kaya para maiwasan yung sinasabi nating gigil, eh kailangan before, during, and after ng match, medyo malinis. Clear our minds lang.”
Currently leading the standings with their unblemished record, the Tamaraws will have a lengthy break to take in all their lessons and momentum from the big win.
They play next against a win-hungry Adamson Soaring Falcons side when they meet on Sunday, March 1, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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.