THE NIGHTMARE persists.
The Golden Tigresses’ Final Four hopes vanished after a fifth-set meltdown against a gritty Far Eastern University, 21-25, 15-25, 25-20, 25-16, 6-15, in their do-or-die playoff match in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena last Feb. 25.
The Tigresses Failed to enter the Final Four for the third consecutive year.
Despite a jittery start, UST forced a deciding set after its offense came alive in the third and fourth frame.
But the Tigresses lost steam as the Lady Tamaraws pounded UST with their relentless offense for a fatal 11-2 rally.
“Nawalan ng focus ‘yung team and hindi na sila naka-move on sa kanilang errors,” head coach Odjie Mamonsaid, who later announced that he will be stepping down as chief tactician for the team.
Mamon added that his wards let the pressure creep back into them after two quick unforced errors that kicked off the fifth set.
“Sabi ko sa players ko, mag-move on na lang sila saerrors nila na for every one point ng kalaban, we need to score three,” Mamon told the Varsitarian. “But it was too late, nabaon na kami.”
Down two sets to none, the Tigresses had a wakeup call in the third set as rookie Cherry Rondina scored five straight points to lead a 10-1 UST run.
Team captain Pam Lastimosa joined Rondina and went ballistic in the fourth canto to open up a 23-14 lead and even things up against FEU.
Lastimosa led the Tigresses with 19 points, while Rondinaand Ria Meneses finished with 11 apiece.
UST will remain intact with only Dancel Dusarangraduating this year.
Parting Ways
After another missed opportunity, Mamon’s days are counted as head coach of the Tigresses.
Citing better opportunities and incompatibility with the Tigresses, Mamon is set to depart on March 31 ending his four-year stint with the team.
The three-time UAAP champion player admitted that it was a decision he had made earlier this season, adding that it was just in their game with FEU when he told his team
“I informed them that it’s our last game together [vs. FEU] kasi I will not renew my appointment,” he told the Varsitarian. “We’re really not compatible, hindi ako compatible sa women’s.”
In his tenure with the Tigresses, Mamon led the team to a third-place finish in Season 74, but they failed to return to the Final Four since then.
Mamon will remain as head coach of the Tiger Spikers and the Men’s National team, while being offered by two other ball clubs.
