GAMES ON WEDNESDAY
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
1 p.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)
5 p.m. – DLSU vs NU (Women’s)
AFTER being forced to a four-set battle in Game 1 last Sunday, defending champion National University expects an uphill battle in Game 2 of the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament finals tomorrow, Wednesday.
Hoping to sweep the finals, Lady Bulldogs coach Sherwin Meneses said his charges should remain laser-focused on their goal and the hustle must never cease.
After easily taking the opening set, the Lady Bulldogs found the De La Salle University Lady Spikers a tougher nut to crack before posting a 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17 win at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two squads will meet anew tomorrow at the SM Mall of Asia Arena at 5 p.m.
“Lagi naman, after the game lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na ‘yung close out talaga ang pinakamahirap. Pati nga iyong second set, sabi ko sa kanila, talagang kailangan magpakapagod lang kami, mag-focus sa ginagawa naming,” said Sherwin Meneses, who is eyeing his first UAAP title as a head coach.
“Pinakamahalaga is di ka mawala sa focus na ‘okay nakuha nila ‘yung third set, recover lang palagi’. Volleyball naman is recovery naman talaga lagi. So hopefully, lesson sa amin ‘yung nangyari.”
The Lady Bulldogs are gunning for their first back-to-back UAAP championship and their fifth overall.
Meneses reminded the Lady Bulldogs to flex their championship form and display what they have been working on for the crown.
“Kahit kaninong team naman, and reminders ko lang palaga is talagang maglaro ng 110%. Kung ano iyong madalas naming ginagawa, gusto ko lang makita. Actually, iyong chemistry ng NU nandyan naman pero sabi ko nga, kailangan pagpaguran kasi wala namang champion ngayon, defending champions so dapat mai-defend talaga namin iyong crown,” Meneses said.
“Iyong assignment talaga is ma-defend so talagang hindi kami magsasawang mga coaches na mag-remind sa kanila, magbigay ng instruction, motivation so iyon iyong number 1 naman sa amin, kasi iyong competitiveness ng mga players talagang nanjan na, sobrang taas. So, I hope, sa second game naming, talagang malagpasan pa namin iyong magandang laro nila.”
The Lady Bulldogs will be led anew by graduating skipper Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan, and Vange Alinsug.
