Faida Bakanke delivered her best game for Far Eastern University in the 2023 V-League Women's Collegiate Challenge on Friday.
And she did it for her father, who passed away just last week back home in Congo.
"I'm so sad that I lost my father. I say hello to my mother and my coach and my teammates," said Bakanke on her Player of the Game interview.
"Thank you for the support to FEU. I love you so so so much."
Bakanke was inspirational against erstwhile-undefeated College of St. Benilde, dropping a career-best 19 points on 13 attacks and six service aces.
More importantly, the Lady Tamaraws remained unscathed in six games, downing the Lady Blazers in four, 25-23, 19-25, 25-16, 25-22, at the Paco Arena in Manila.
With the 6-foot opposite hitter's career game, interim head coach Manolo Refugia could not be more thankful for Bakanke who continues to give her all for FEU despite what happened back home.
"Para kay Faida, talagang saludo kaming mga teammates niya, coaches kasi sa mga pinagdaanan niya nitong mga nakaraan, siguro siya yung best example ng athlete talaga," said Refugia.
"Talagang walang dahilan, kaya siguro lumalabas din sa galaw nya yung talagang pinaghihirapan niya," added the FEU player turned coach.
"Sa training hindi niya pinapakita na ganon, talagang pag after ng game yun talaga pero pag sa training, talagang makikita mo yung Faida na gusto namin makita."
The Lady Tamaraws will aim for a preliminary round sweep come Wednesday against 5-0 University of the East.
And expect Bakanke to go all out again for FEU, and of course, her late father.
