NATIONAL University hopes to regain its winning ways against last-place University of the East today as the defending champion press its drive for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four of the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
The Lady Bulldogs have already matched their last season’s loss total after dropping two of the last three matches, all against lower-ranked teams.
Although NU remains on top of the standings, reigning MVP Bella Belen stresses the need for her squad to play with a sense of urgency in the 1 p.m. contest.
The Lady Warriors have yet to log a win in 11 matches, and the Lady Bulldogs are not willing to be their first victims.
“Dapathuwagnaminintayinnaibigaysaaminyung game. Dapat kami, kailangannamingustuhin at kailangannaminkuninkasiparang opportunity din siyasaaminnahindiporketgaling kami satalo, hindina kami capable manalo,” said Belen after NU dropped a 23-25, 25-15, 26-28, 22-25 decision to Adamson University last Sunday.
“Kailangannamintrabahuinyung game namin against UE kasihindisiyamagigingmadalitalagakasiyung UE, palaban din silakahitsabihinnatinna winless,maramisilapinahirapanna teams. Dapat kami, gustuhinnaminyung game naminsa Wednesday para manalo,” she added.
Alyssa Solomon, who was sorely missed in the Lady Bulldogs’ defeat against the Lady Falcons, due to a mild ankle sprain, remains a doubtful starter as her timetable for an immediate return is still uncertain.
NU is holding a two-game cushion over Far Eastern University, which plays Ateneo at 3 p.m., and University of Santo Tomas, in the race for the second twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four.
With a 7-4 record, the Lady Tamaraws not only gained the needed separation in the race for the No. 4 slot, but they also still have a clear shot of securing a twice-to-beat berth in the Final Four.
Already much ahead of fifth-running University of the Philippines (5-6), FEU is just trailing No. 2 La Salle (8-3) by just a game, as coach Tina Salak remains confident of her team’s chances for a better ranking after the eliminations.
“Doon pa rin kami sa goal, every game na goal. Focus kami kung ano bang gameplankasihindinaman biro lahat ng teams ngayon. Lahat nag-iimprove this second round, anglaki ng inadjust din,” said Salak after the Lady Tamaraws bested the Fighting Maroons 25-21, 25-16, 14-25, 26-24 last Sunday.
“Hindi rinnaminpwedenggawinnamaging complacent sa standing namin. It’s because bakamawalarinsaamin. Kailangan naming panghawakanlahat ng games. Kailangan naming ipanaloyung games. Kailangan naming pagtrabahuanlahat ng skills and also dun samga videos nakailangan naming panoorin and aralin,” she added.
The Blue Eagles, who are tied with the Lady Falcons in sixth place at 4-7, have lost two in a row and are three games out of the No. 4 spot. Another defeat will push Ateneo on the brink of missing the Final Four for the third straight season.
