UAAP: FEU's Melody Pons faces the music in breakout performance vs UE

Role player Melody Pons stood out from the crowd as she stepped up for injury-hit FEU in a resounding sweep over the UE Lady Warriors, 25-11, 25-15, 25-22, unleashing nine points in her first start in UAAP Season 88 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The Lady Tamaraws enter the second round coming off of a loss, and are down a woman after a shoulder injury to Gerz Petallo.

But Pons, the sister of FEU great Bernadeth Pons, answered the call from head coach Tina Salak, playing the supporting role behind prolific scorer Faida Bakanke in the convincing victory over listless UE.



After the match, Pons said that she embraced the trust put on her by the team as the race for the Final Four continues to reach its most crucial point.

"Sobrang thankful ako sa binigay na opportunity ni coach Tina at sa mga coaches na nagtiwala sa akin. Sinunod ko lang kung anong sistema yung binubuo namin at kung anong program yung binubuo ni coach Tina, ine-execute lang namin," Pons said.

"Sabi nga ni coach, hindi madali yung naging adjustment so huwag namin gawing joke yung binibigay sa amin na role. In-embrace ko yung binigay sa akin ni coach Tina at na-execute naman," she added.

Pons did a little bit of everything as she also had nine digs and five receptions. Bakanke was the top scorer with 14 markers.

For Salak, it was about finding the right moment to unleash Pons' full potential for the Lady Tamaraws.

Despite seldom sticking out in the stat sheet, the veteran tactician believes that her impact is more than just scoring, leaning on her senior player in the tightest of situations.

"Binibigyan lang din namin kasi ng importance yung timing. Yung role niya, kahit limited minutes... pag siya, once nag step in sa court, ang laki kasi ng impact niya," Salak said after the match.

"So kahit na hindi siya nakakapagprovide ng ibang points, pero in a matter na nakakapagprovide siya ng ibang energy sa team... Ang laki kasing contribution yon, without any numbers."

A personal note

But it's not just about school pride each time Pons takes on the floor.



Rather, she also carries the name on her back as much as the name on the front. With her older sister famously being one of the most prolific players in Morayta, Melody is taking her cues from her own flesh and blood.

"Ginagawa ko silang inspiration sa bawat laro ko. Kahit sa beach or mapa-indoor ‘man. Yun lang yung hinuhugot ko para mas ma-inspire pa ako maglaro," she said.

Pons hopes to continue her impact for the Lady Tamaraws when they try to turn their fortunes around against defending champions NU on Sunday, March 22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

UE, on the other hand, continues its free fall in the standings and are at 0-8. They have lost 22 straight games.

Khy Cepada was the lone bright spot with 15 points in thee losing effort for the Lady Warriors.

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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.