BY ABBY TORALBA
NATIONAL University’s journey back to the Promised Land was not a walk in the park. But it was all worth it as the Lady Bulldogs completed their redemption drive.
The Sampaloc-based belles bagged their second title in the last three seasons, thanks mainly to their one-two punch of season MVP Bella Belen and finals MVP Alyssa Solomon.
“Sobrang masaya kasi naging fruitful iyong pagtrabaho namin dito sa finals na ito, kung paano din namin pinag-aralan iyong UST. Actually, hindi naman madali iyong journey na ito, ‘di ba? Dahil during the eliminations madami ring ups and downs, may mga losses na hindi namin alam saan nanggagaling iyon factor noong pagkatalo namin,” NU coach Norman Miguel said.
“Buti na lang talaga matibay iyong character ng mga players namin na talagang kapag sinabi nilang ‘fight ‘til the end, redeem the title,’ talagang gagawin talaga nila. Kaya sobrang nakakabilib talaga iyong players ng NU,” he added.
Miguel said one of the reasons why he returned at the helm of the Lady Bulldogs, despite the heavy pressure, was that he believed he can contribute and guide the team back on top.
“Hindi madali (iyong journey sa pagbabalik). Hindi talaga, sobra. When I was asked to comeback, for this season, talagang firm ako doon sa decision ko na bumalik dito kasi iyon nga, well, alam ko mayroon akong maitutulong para makuha ulit iyong title. Iyon talaga iyong pinanindigan ko sa decision ko. Kaya iyon, sobra ako naging firm dun. Pero hindi naging madali iyong journey talaga,” he said.
“I know the pressure is there, given naman na talaga iyon pero along the way na-experience ko din paano maging mature, paano mo i-handle iyong pressure at the same time, i-handle mo iyong goal mo, iyong mga ganoon ba. Masarap na hindi madali. Masarap na hindi masarap.”
