It’s going to be the last weekend in the elimination and last games also for certain players. As the season comes to an end, it’s time to evaluate performances of different teams. The games of the past are usually games which might just define a team’s season. But the last game of a team is usually the game that will describe what might be, what could have been and what might have been. Improvements and other misfortunes have been in this season. Despite that, excitement still rose to the occasion and here we are. Only weeks away in determining which team will be hailed as champions. To the Final Four team, La Salle, Ateneo, UST and Adamson, congratulations. To those who failed to make it, I’m sure we will watch out for you next season.

We decided to make our Elimination Ender with a blast. And thus, we will post our game predictions and our farewells to non-Final Four teams. Watch out for the upcoming articles as we will be doing also the Men’s.

THE GREEN CORNER #8: FAREWELLS AND LAST HURRAHS

Written and Edited by: Jannie Gavile and Benj Zabat

FEU-UP

First Round Encounter: FEU def. UP – 20-25, 25-9, 25-13, 25-22

As the game to clinch the fifth place comes, FEU Lady Tamaraws and UP Lady Maroons will battle their hearts out to grab the fifth and sixth place respectively because after all even if they do not make it to the final four, standings will still be important to determine the school’s overall placing so this game should still be treated with intensity. Anywho, let us go to the game at hand. What makes this game so interesting is that it is a battle of two different defense strategies: blocking for UP and floor defense for FEU. Although in their first meeting, the Lady Tamaraws finished the game relatively easy in four sets, many factors will affect how the games may turn out this Saturday. One of which is on how FEU will react on its string of loses most recently with their game against Adamson. UP on the other hand, seems to improve their game working on what could be one of the deadliest line-ups in the UAAP have they been developed properly. What works for the Lady Maroons is what I have mentioned, good blocking and a deep bench of talented players but somehow, they lack the crucial volleyball program to make use of that potential. FEU on the other hand has their floor defense and of course, the very hard working Cherry Vivas but thankfully, she is no longer a one woman team with contributions coming from Rose Cabanag. At the end of the day though if FEU can work on the lack of maturity that UP is showing during their games, expect this game the way it went the first round: four or five sets in favor FEU.

Farewell Message:

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES: REMARKABLE IMPROVEMENT AND RECRUITMENT SECURITY

Graduationg Player: Cathy Barcelon, Clarisse Lucindo, Toni Faye Tan, Princess

Jannie Gavile:
Improving a notch higher is what UP has shown this year. From finding great freshmen and adding spunk and floor defense to their game, the girls from Diliman has pleased me in a way this season. In the second round, it was only against Ateneo that they they failed to get a set but they did stole one from UST, La Salle and Adamson. Of course the game today will most likely define if UP has what it takes to become a real contender next season. Beat FEU and they’ll be in my watch list next season. UP found a good catch in Angeli Araneta who is not only a very good blocker but is a thinking player as well. She doesn’t spike that hard but her balls are very unassumed or balls that you won’t expect to drop on you. Mela Lopez has likewise improved her spiking this year. Her inconsistent self became more reliable as the team would turn to her in times of trouble. Like NU, in my opinion, UP also has to get a reliable setter next season. They have all the skills; blocking, digging, spiking, etc. They just really need to find a very good setter. UP, though most of them are rookies and sophomores, will be a real contender next year that’s for sure. If they get a good setter and a steadier utility, then they are good to go. South Ramos might have to wake up now or maybe it’s just her sophomore jinx that’s bothering her. I mean, Cathy Barcelon will be out next season and for sure, it’s her turn to step up. Eileen Quejas has done a splendid role with regards to stepping up. She’s now classified as one of UAAP’s best blockers. If she can improve her jump, she’d be really deadly in offense. I love to see her do those quick and running spikes with higher jumps. For sure, UP will play a notch higher next year especially now that they are recruiting good players as well. I hope they can make it in the Final Four in the coming years.

Benj Zabat:
Well another team I am really, really sorry for. Like I said in my previous posts, they should be the deadliest team here in the UAAP. Why? I think talent for talent, they have the best high school recruits but it seems that they are working with a budget and an attitude – bad attitude that is. We all know that they are run on limited funs but if what if my sources would prove me right where it says that they are too lazy to train and they would choose to party than to work hard for the league. Then, no matter how talented they are, they would not get any better and as a result, they would be a perennial bottom dweller. If UP can get a proper volleyball training, more dedication to the game and that winning the game attitude game, they can surely a team to reckon with. Sadly for now, they would still saddle for a lowly fifth or sixth place until then, train harder and take this league more seriously please?

FAR EASTERN UNIVERSITY: UNDERSTANDABLE SITUATION AND CONSIDERABLE EFFORT

Graduating Player: None

Jannie Gavile:
After 15 years, the team missed the Final Four for the very first time. But that’s an understandable and a considerable effort despite losing half of Shai Gonzalez in the middle of the season because of injury and the departure of Mhica Morada and Chel Daquis. For a rebuilding team, they were able to challenge strong teams well like Ateneo and Adamson. In fact, because of these instances, few players rose to the occassion. Of course, first on my list is Mumay Vivas who has made this year her peak year, being the top scorer and probably the best player in the UAAP today. Whenever she spikes, consider it as a sure point. That’s how she’s been carying her team for this season. Second would be Nique Tiangco who provided offensive support for Vivas. She is not really that impact player but more of the silent type. She scores when needed and during crunch time which is very commendable as she still has 3 more years to go in the UAAP. My last did not improve but it’s more of she brought back her old game, which is her commendable floor defense. That is of course libero Rose Taganas. We saw how she dive those balls in the last few games, and that she was able to receive well. It’s sad that we’re not gonna see FEU this year but I’m gonna be scared if I’m a player of the other team. They might recruit high school hot shots to make it to the Final Four once again. Next year, I’m not gonna bet a Final Four finish, but they’d be challenging other teams for the Final Four slots once more. Like I said, I’m not sure.

Benj Zabat:
If my memory serves me right this would be the first time in around fiften years that the Lady Tamaraws would not make it into the final four. What is most interesting is that for sure, under that fifteen years, there have been drastic changes to the team but, why can’t they seem to make it right this time? You see what I did notice is that their current coach developed some three-five players and forgot everybody else in the team. It also did not help their cause that their team captain, Rose Cabanag is not back to her true form and the injury of Shai Gonzalez was a big blow for the team as well but I guess they could have developed the other players. I guess coach Ness relied heavily on Rachel Daquis and Micah Morada that he did not see this kind of scenario. I just feel bad for them, some of his players are eager to play and yet they are not given the proper development and playing time (Maricar Nepomuceno is one the best examples of this case). Now I wonder where the team is headed and if the team will continue to rely on Cherry Vivas to carry the team for the rest of the time that she will be playing. What the team needs right now are good recruits, development for all players and consistency while playing. I just feel bad if there is something wrong with their recruits or the coaching because their final four traditions have just been broken. Sad.

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