Gerz Petallo is slowly but surely growing into her role as the leader of the FEU Lady Tamaraws in UAAP Season 88.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws are in quite the rhythm now in UAAP Season 88 after a stellar win over the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-13, 25-21, 25-16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, March 8.
The Lady Tamaraws have leaned on their veteran core, led by team captain Gerz Petallo, to get into a nice three-game winning streak near the halfway point of the season.
Under the leadership of Petallo, the Lady Tamaraws have settled in to rise to a competitive 4-2 mark following the victory over UP.
[RELATED: FEU cruises past UP for third straight win in UAAP women's volley]
Plunged into the leadership spotlight for Season 88, Petallo has learned to embrace the responsibility that comes with her experience as she looks to rally to Lady Tamaraws to greater heights.
"Being a team captain po is not easy po talaga since yun nga, naging co-cap ako ng team, pero iba po talaga yung role ng team captain. So, I really want to express myself also sa kanila and to be a good leader sa kanila and a good role model,” Petallo said after the win over UP.
"Pinapakita ko po yun sa, una po talagang sa sarili, pinapakita ko yun sa sarili kung paano ako mag-perform and yun po, susunod na po ang lahat. Susunod na po yung team and maging confident lang ako sa lahat ng mga ginagalaw."
Petallo was the steady for for FEU against the Fighting Maroons, who were coming off a huge comeback victory against defending champion NU.
She had 12 points, eight digs, and eight receptions, a strong all-around peformance to back up Alyzza Devosora, who paced FEU scoring with 15 markers.
Even with a strong mid-season push, Petallo is quick to underscore the importance of trusting the process and not rushing into things.
"Yun nga po, dinadahan-dahan ko po yung process kasi po since madami po akong naiisip, ganun since malaki na po yung hinahandle ko like the team itself na. Dinadahan-dahan ko po yun. Proseso lang po and tiwala lang po sa sarili na kayang-kaya ko po yun,” she said.
FEU returns to action against UST, closing the first round on Saturday, March 14, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, UP draws the Golden Tigresses first with a March 11 showdown also at the MOA Arena.
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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.