HUNGRY for more victories as they continue to defend their crown, reigning champion National University is out to bring its A-game in the second round of the 87th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the first round with a perfect 7-0 mark, their latest victory a five-setter 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9 against University of Santo Tomas, their finals foe last season, over the weekend at the Big Dome.
UST and De Salle are tied for second and third with 5-2 slates while Far Eastern University sits at fourth with a 4-3 mark after the first round of eliminations.
Although the Sampaloc-based crew swept the first round, NU coach Sherwin Meneses preached about consistent improvement for the defending champions, reiterating that there is no time to be complacent.
“Syempre marami pa, every training na ma-improve talaga, especially iyong blocking namin, talagang pag-aaralan naming mabuti. Pero mahaba pa iyong UAAP, so walang time para mag-relax, talagang hanap kami ng paraan para ma-improve pa kami sa practice at sa game,” Meneses said.
The veteran mentor also hoped to see the Lady Bulldogs being persistent with their system moving forward, stressing good physical conditioning.
“Sa second round talagang tatrabahuin lang namin makuha ‘yung A-game, iyong familiarization ng sistema, dapat makuha namin hanggang dulo. Mag-improve lang kami sa system namin. Iyong A-game, mas marami pang magandang laro ang mabibigay ng NU,” Meneses said.
“Ngayon, iyong mindset namin sa second round para ma-istick namin hanggang dulo iyong kondisyon ng katawan namin kasi medyo maraming laro. Hopefully, less injuries kami, ganun din sa iba, para makalaro hanggang dulo.”
The Lady Bulldogs seek to repeat their success against the Golden Tigresses when they meet anew this coming Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in their second-round showdown.
UST will open its second round run this Wednesday, going up against phenomenal rookie Shaina Nitura and the Adamson Lady Falcons at The Arena in San Juan.
