The sky’s the limit for the FEU Lady Tamaraws heading into UAAP Season 87.
When the FEU Lady Tamaraws made their inspiring Final Four run in UAAP Season 86, it came with the gradual emergence of Congolese foreign student athlete (FSA) Faida Bakanke in the elimination rounds.
After a subpar Round 1 showing, Bakanke found her stride for FEU in Round 2, which proved to be crucial as the Lady Tams solidified their position in the Season 86 Final Four picture.
Expectations will remain high for Bakanke coming into UAAP Season 87, and returning head coach Tina Salak hopes that the FSA’s timely rise can inspire their rookie recruits for this year’s Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
“Well, pwede bang i-bump ko sa iba? Kasi si Faida last year, so gusto ko mabigyan [ng opportunities] ‘yung ibang players. So watch out natin, hindi ko masasabi ngayon, but gusto ko magperform sila,” Salak said during the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Volleyball press conference on Thursday.
FEU-Diliman products such as Clarisse Loresco will be joining FEU for Season 87, which features an intact core led by fast-rising setter Tin Ubaldo, wing spiker Chenie Tagaod, Bakanke, and Jean Asis.
“Rookies ‘yung sinasabi ko, because lagi ko binabanggit sa kanila na this is your year, isang beses lang kayo magro-rookie, then show up. Kaya sinabi ko kanina, rookies ang inaasahan ko [mag-step up],” added Salak, who stepped away from head coaching duties last season due to personal matters.
The Lady Tams are coming off a productive offseason buildup that included podium finishes at the V.League Collegiate Challenge and Shakey’s Super League Preseason Championship.
FEU also conducted another training camp in Thailand, a powerhouse country in the Southeast Asian volleyball scene, to further strengthen their status as UAAP Final Four contenders.
“Lahat kasi ng offseason training camps and tuneups, ang ganda ng result, but pagdating kasi dito sa [UAAP] ibang version na ito, ibang story na ito. So gusto ko magkaroon din sila ng hugot sa lahat ng ginawa naming preseason activities,” Salak said of FEU’s offseason buildup.
And while pressure will be on FEU to perform this Season 87, Salak expressed her utmost confidence in her team’s capability to meet, or even exceed expectations. It’s a far cry from their rebuilding days in Seasons 84 to 85, but the legendary setter knows that her team’s chemistry is way better than ever in their ongoing resurgence.
“Nae-excite ako and nape-pressure at the same time! Kasi ‘yung naging result natin last year is pumasok tayo ng Final Four. Hindi madali, but having the privilege na intact ‘yung team, trabaho ko na i-maximize ‘yung time nila this year, kasi you never know, baka amin ‘to ‘di ba? Kunin ko na!” Salak reflected.
Banner images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.