UAAP: Cayuna ready to take charge as FEU's primary setter

MANILA, Philippines -- In UAAP Season 82, Gel Cayuna is ready to come into her own as Far Eastern University's (FEU) primary playmaker and its team captain.

For the first four years of her collegiate career with the Lady Tamaraws, Cayuna split playmaking duties with Kyle Negrito. In her final season, Cayuna will finally get the chance to show her worth as FEU's No. 1 setter, as well as the team's leader on and off the court.

The veteran got off to a strong start on Tuesday, as she tallied 9 points and 18 excellent sets in FEU's 25-9, 25-20, 25-17 sweep of University of the East (UE) at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Ang nasa isip namin, gawin namin 'yung game plan na sinasabi ni coach, at magtiwala lang talaga sa sarili at sa process," Cayuna said after the match, where she earned Player of the Game honors.

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FEU coach George Pascua also gave Cayuna passing marks in her first game as the primary setter, while also praising her leadership qualities.

"Lagi ko ngang sinasabi sa kanya, as a leader kailangan maging effective ka in action, so pakita mo in actions mo," he said. "Mas nakita ka nila, na nili-lead mo sila."

"At the same time, ikaw ang nagi-initiate sa loob ng court kasi siya ang playmaker. So kailangan siya mismo ang matibay ang loob, para ang mga kasama, andiyan naman to support her sa mga decision-making na gagawin niya," he added.

Cayuna said she doubled her effort in training during the offseason to prepare for her new role this year, and gave plenty of credit to her teammates for making her job easier.

"Talagang tinutulungan nila ako," she said. "Kaya parang hindi din ganoon kahirap sa akin na mag-adjust."

"Lahat naman kasi talagang pinagkakatiwalaan ko, kahit 'yung mga rookie players pa lang. Para sa akin, madali lang talaga, kasi tinutulungan din nila akong gumawa," she also said.

Cayuna's next test comes on Sunday, when they take on last season's losing finalist, University of Santo Tomas.

"Lahat naman ng teams, talagang malakas. Wala kang dapat basta-bastahin," she said. "Kaya sa amin siguro, simula bukas, 'yun na ang pag-aaralan namin kung paano namin sila maka-counter. Then sunod pa rin sa game plan ng mga coaches."

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