Bella Belen Keeps NU Grounded Despite Final Four Assurance

JOB’S NOT FINISHED is the present mindset that the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs want to champion after advancing to the Final Four of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament. 

The Lady Bulldogs are in a strong position to make another title run, despite a couple defeats this year against the UP Fighting Maroons and the Adamson Lady Falcons in the eliminations. 

The Season 86 champions made a big step toward retaining their title by formally clinching the Final Four’s twice-to-beat advantage, putting them in the same position as previous season.

Not Satisfied

However, team skipper Bella Belen believes that National U is still a long way from achieving its goal. For her, the squad has yet to reach the level they set for themselves this season as the league’s reigning champion.

“Hindi naman po kami hihinto kahit nakuha na namin yung twice-to-beat,” the two-time champion and Most Valuable Player said after they vent their ire and swept the Ateneo Blue Eagle on Sunday.

“Kailangan pa naming i-pulido yung mga lapses namin, at yung mga unnecessary errors, kaya pa naming i-work yun,” the outgoing Belen went on to explain.

Different Era, Same Goal

When Sherwin Meneses replaced Norman Miguel as head coach, the Lady Bulldogs maintained their grit and dominance, sweeping the season’s first round. 

However, Belen explains that this year presents a distinct challenge to the team, since the pressure remains constant because they are now defending the crown rather than chasing it as in prior years.

“Last year po kasi, humahabol kami ng crown. Ngayon po, mahirap mag defend, so ngayon, yung pressure nasa amin,” the frontrunner for the Most Valuable Player award said.

“Siguro, blessing in disguise na rin na natalo kami, kasi nag loosen up yung bawat isa sa amin. Talagang tinanggap namin yung bawat pagkatalo, and sinabi namin na dapat ‘di na siya maulit,” she added.

Belen and the rest of the NU Lady Bulldogs’ graduating class will go all out for a repeat this year, playing every remaining game as if it were their last.