BY ABBY TORALBA
PROPPED up by its finals experience, National University moved within a win of reaching the Promised Land anew last Saturday.
The Lady Bulldogs tamed the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 in Game 1 of their best-of-3 finals showdown for the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
“Actually, iyon ang naging pep talk namin sa dugout before warming up. Hindi na iba sa kanila iyong umabot dito sa finals,” NU coach Norman Miguel said. “They know how it feels. Alam nila kung anong kailangan gawin. Alam na nila kasi ilang beses na nila na-experience.
“Masayang masaya kasi nauna kami sa Game 1 ng finals. Nag-work naman iyong game plan kahit paano so masayang masaya. Though hindi namin napalaro iyong ibang players pero part naman sila ng panalo namin,” he added.
Miguel gave a colorful word for the stellar performances of opposite hitter Alyssa Solomon and middle blocker Sheena Toring.
The 6-foot-2 Solomon had slight issues with her knee recently but Miguel commended her grit and eagerness to win.
“Kasi itong week ng training namin before this game, medyo may pain siyang nararamdaman sa tuhod niya. Actually, maski naman si Vangie (Alinsug). Medyo inalalayan namin sila. Pusuan na lang talaga tutal nandito na kami. We’re given this opportunity na to. Alam naman namin iyong character ng mga bata na iyan. Kahit may iniinda, lalaban at lalaban,” Miguel said.
He added of Toring’s game: “Masayang-masaya, kasi ‘di ba nga noong start ng season natin medyo hindi natin sila nakikita sa starting six. Willing talaga siya, binuhos niya para makabalik siya, para maka-contribute siya. Coming from her the other day, masayang-masaya talaga siya.”
Game 2 of the race-to-2 series is set this Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
