NU’s Mhicaela Belen goes for an off-speed attack against DLSU’s Thea Gagate and Leila Cruz during their UAAP women’s volleyball match Thursday night. UAAP photo
NU can’t afford to be complacent
AFTER reasserting its mastery of La Salle, all points for National University to complete a double-round sweep of the UAAP women’s volleyball eliminations.
Despite the perfect 8-0 record, first-year coach Karl Dimaculangan knows that the Lady Bulldogs cannot be afford to be complacent heading into the crucial stage of the season.
“Ito panibagong round na ito, challenge rin sa amin, ini-expect namin na magiging hirap. Yung mga players nag trabaho talaga nang mabuti para makuha yung panalo,” said Dimaculangan after Thursday night’s 25-21, 25-20, 25-17 conquest of the Lady Spikers.
NU seeks to secure itself of a playoff for a Final Four spot as it tangles with titleholder Ateneo at 12:30 p.m. today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
University of Santo Tomas, in solo second at 6-2, takes on University of the Philippines at 4 p.m., while La Salle, now sitting in third spot at 5-3, plays Far Eastern University at 6:30 p.m.
Adamson tries to get back on the winning track in the 10 a.m. match with last-place University of the East.
The Blue Eagles are locked in a three-way tie in fourth place with the Lady Falcons and the Fighting Maroons at 4-4.
Ranged against NU’s vaunted frontline of Ivy Lacsina and Sheena Toring, Ateneo rookie middle blocker AC Miner hopes to deliver a better effort this time for her team to remain in the Final Four range.
In their first meeting last May 7, the Eagles were able to snatch the third set before dropping a 22-25, 15-25, 25-22, 22 decision to the Lady Bulldogs.
“I can say that I’m still adjusting until now and it’s not really a quick adjustment that I can make,” said Miner.
“The level of volleyball here in the seniors’ division is very different compared to what I was used to back in high school but I think I’m adjusting well to it naman,” she added.
Ateneo mentor Oliver Almadro is looking forward for his troops to display maturity against the league leaders.
“Sabi ko sa mga players ko, we really have to have wisdom and strength towards the end kasi sometimes we are waiting like nung mga previous games, we have the chance to close it out but ayun nga, because yung youth din ng mga players ko, in time magiging fluid din naman ang kilos,” said Almadro. By Theodore Jurado
