UST stunner keeps Lady Tamaraws rolling

MANILA, Philippines — It’s been a week since the FEU Lady Tamaraws staged an emphatic upset over league leaders UST Golden Tigresses, but the Morayta-based squad is still feeling the effects as they extended their win streak to five on Saturday.

As their return to the Final Four looms with one game remaining in eliminations, FEU head coach Manolo Refugia said that the win over their perennial rivals was a game changer for the Lady Tamaraws.

Stringing two more victories since then, Refugia underscored the impact of overcoming the Lady Tigresses.

“Nakaka-boost talaga ng morale yung nanalo kami against sa UST. So, naglevel up yung mindset nila,” said Refugia after their 4-set win over UP on Saturday. 

“So yung preparation namin nagiging maganda sa training… Hopefully, matapos namin yung second round nang maganda and makabawi kami sa NU game,” he added.

Though a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis remains a far cry for FEU, currently at fourth in the standings, Refugia said that they want to continue feeling at an all-time high when it comes to confidence.

Even as NU enters as a favorite against FEU, Refugia believes that his players are in the best place mentally.

“Sa confidence [ng players], wala akong masabi kasi ang ganda ng training, maganda yung mood, maganda. Talagang gusto nila kung nasan sila ngayon, kung nasan na kami ngayon talagang gusto nila,” he said.

The Lady Tamaraws will try to shoot for at least the third seed heading into the semifinals when they face UAAP Season 85 finalist NU on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

More than the placing, FEU will be eager to end their elimination round on a high note and head into the semis with the most momentum possible.