ALTHOUGH National University is seemed to be fully recovered from its season-opening loss to University of Santo Tomas, the 2022 UAAP women’s volleyball champions are looking forward to polish their game even further.

“For me, yung consistency namin which is hindi kami dapat mag-relax kasi nung first set ginawa namin yung trabaho namin kung ano yung inaral namin ginawa namin and then nung second set medyo nag-relax kami kaya naging ganon yung outcome,” said Bella Belen after NU overcame a rough patch in the second set to beat Far Eastern University, 25-17, 13-25, 25-17, 25-20 Wednesday night.

After the Lady Tamaraws were able to level the match at one set apiece with an improved attacking game, the Lady Bulldogs found their second wind, taking the third and fourth sets to extend their winning run to four matches.

NU is now tied with defending champion La Salle in second spot at 4-1.

“Sa akin yung mindset ng team na bawal kami mag-relax, hindi pa kasi tapos yung laban, dapat hindi kami hihinto hanggang hindi pa tapos yung laro,” said Alyssa Solomon, who paced the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points, including three blocks.

NU is trying to improve its digging skills, which is key when it faces Casiey Dongallo-led University of the East on Sunday. The Lady Bulldogs, who are the league’s top attacking team, are currently ranked second in digging.

“Yung sa dig namin tinrabaho talaga namin siya for months. May time na everyday kami tini-three man drill niya para maghabol nang maghabol ng bola and happy naman ako kasi nakikita namin yun sa game na naaapply namin yung ganong practice sa game,” said the 6-foot-1 Solomon, who was surprised upon learning that she got seven digs.

“Gaya ng sabi ni Ate Aly, sa training pa lang po pinapractice na namin siya yung digging namin kasi napansin namin nung first game namin doon kami mababa and tinatry namin na kada game kailangan may magiimprove sa game namin,” said Belen, who had a solid all-around game of 19 points, including two service aces, 19 digs and 11 receptions.

“Happy naman ako na medyo nakakaangat angat na yung digging namin and yung passing pero I think meron pa kaming kayang gawin, na hindi pa siya yung best namin.”

NU also got a huge game from rookie setter Abe Pono, who tossed in seven excellent sets and contributed two of her team’s 10 blocks.

“In the past few games, konti lang exposure niya. For me, we consider her as game-changer kanina,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Norman Miguel on the former Season 85 high school girls Finals MVP.

“Ang maganda naman sa team namin, well kung si (Camilla) Lamina ang starting namin, but she has to step up of that because kailangang mag-perform ng isang setter, walang naman issue sa amin iyon na naiintindihan naman ng lahat basta magpe-perform ka para sa betterment ng team namin. Masaya kami for Abe na nag-POG (Player of the Game) ngayon,” he added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado