BY ABBY TORALBA
CAN Bella Belen and the National University Lady Bulldogs finish the finals series and claim the crown or will Detdet Pepito and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses force a winner-take-all battle.
These questions will all be answered today when NU and UST clash in Game 2 of the best-of-three finals of the 86th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at 4 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
In Game 1 last Saturday, NU displayed grit and used its finals experience to the hilt by putting away the young UST side in straight sets 25-23, 25-20, 25-20.
The Lady Bulldogs, who last won the crown in 2022, are vying for their fourth overall UAAP title behind a team backstopped by Belen, with Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, Camilla Lamina, Vange Alinsug and skipper Erin Pangilinan.
“We’re very happy kasi na-apply namin iyong mga pinag-trainingan namin and iyong mga game adjustments namin. Siguro for Game 2, kailangan hindi kami makampante.
Kailangang isipin namin na siyempre UST iyan, palaban ‘yung team na iyan,” Belen said.
“Kailangan iyong mindset namin is kailangang tapusin na namin sa Game 2, katulad nung sa do-or-die [semifinals], kailangan hindi na namin paabutin ng do-or-die pa, huwag na kami maghanap ng challenge. Hangga’t kaya naming tapusin ang Game 2, tatapusin naming,” she added.
The 5-foot-7 open hitter underscored the need for a flawless game, meaning less errors.
“I think kaya pa naming bawasan iyong errors. Kasi iyong game (Game 1) medyo dikit pa siya, siguro thankful na lang din kami na parehas kami halos ng errors ng UST. Siguro kung hindi sila ma-error, talo kami dito sa Game 2. Siguro balik kami sa training, pagtiyagaan namin kung saan kami masyado nag-error, like sa serve. Siguro maglalaan kami ng oras doon para talagang makapa namin iyong serve namin,” said Belen.
Rookie Angeline Poyos is still a doubtful starter due to injury, one thing that UST will have to contend with in its bid to defy the odds.
The Golden Tigresses suffered a huge blow in Game 1 when Poyos tweaked her right ankle after landing on the foot of teammate Em Banagua.
Team captain Detdet Pepito admitted the Espana-based crew was pressured the last time out but stressed the series isn’t done yet, adding they intend to forge a rubber match.
“I think yes, [may pressure] sa ginalaw namin. First set pa lang kitang-kita na pressured talaga iyong team and ayun, nahirapan lang talaga kami makabalik at may nangyari pa, iyon si Poyos [na-injured]. Kung ano na iyong nandito pag-tatrabahuhan na lang naming.
Hindi natin alam kung makakabalik pa si Poyos pero iyon, ready naman iyong mga papalit sa kanya,” said the 21-year-old libero.
