After a serving as an interim captain for the FEU Women’s Volleyball Team in the latter portion of Season 84, Shiela Mae Kiseo has now been named as the official leader of the Lady Tamaraws. With her role more defined plus, the knowledge gained from their previous UAAP campaign, the 22-year-old outside hitter has a better grasp of what her duties are to the team.
“’Yung natutunan ko sa experience na nangyari is parang kailangan kong maging matured enough to handle them. Lalo na ‘yung mga sisters ko, mga teammates ko kung paano ko maipakita sa kanila ‘yung tama na makakatulong sa team namin,” Kiseo said.
Along with her learnings, another reason why Kiseo sounds upbeat is the Lady Tamaraws’ renewed passion brought by the squad’s tighter bond on and off the court. She credits FEU’s new coach Tina Salak for this development.
“’Yung ginawa po ni coach Tina sa amin is dahan-dahan lang siyang nag-approach sa amin. And kami rin dahan-dahang nagiging comfortable sa kaniya. Like the way we bond sa labas ng court, sabay ng kain, lunch. Sometimes nagjo-joke din si coach. Kaya ngayon nagiging ano na kami sa bawat isa, more open,” the Lady Tamaraws captain revealed.
Tina Salak took over for former FEU tactician Goerge Pascua who left his post last year after tallying a forgettable 1-13 win-loss record. Salak, a Lady Tams legend who had won two UAAP crowns and the 1995 MVP trophy, is also a part of the Philippine Women’s Volleyball Team coaching staff under Brazilian mentor Jorge Edson Souza de Brito.
With that kind of guidance, FEU’s talented team captain has more than enough reason to believe that she and her teammates can do much better in Season 85, provided they play with heart and pride.
“We will fight talaga nang buong puso at buong spirit namin ibibigay naming lahat para sa FEU community and para sa pride rin namin,” Kiseo declared.