UAAP: NU Out to Cement Back-to-Back Title Dreams

THE National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs will meet the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Finals, looking to cement their back-to-back title dreams. 

NU is seeking to make history by winning the women’s volleyball tournament back-to-back for the first time. They won Game 1 by overcoming a third-set nightmare, 25-17, 25-21, 13-25, 25-17. 

Putting that behind them, the Sampaloc-based squad is set to play a more motivated DLSU squad that is in a do-or-die spot. The Lady Spikers are vying for Game 3 in an attempt to reclaim the title for Taft.

High Stakes

The reigning champions have now won all three games against La Salle, dating back to their first round meeting. Sherwin Meneses, the head coach of National University, understands what is at stake as the team prepares for the series-clinching game. 

Given his rich experience with high-stakes games, he understands why Most Valuable Player Bella Belen and the Lady Bulldogs must lock in, leave all of their victories behind them, and focus on finishing the series.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

“Lagi naman, after game lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na ‘yung close out talga ang pinakamahirap. Pati nga ‘yung second set eh, sabi ko sa kanila, talagang kailangan magpakapagod lang kami, magfocus sa ginagawa namin,” he said.

“Syempre pinakamahalaga is di ka mawala sa focus na ‘okay nakuha nila ‘yung third set, recover lang palagi’. Volleyball naman is recover naman talaga lagi. So hopefully, lesson samin ‘yung nangyari,” he added.

Better Playmaking

Despite the loss in Game 1, Angel Canino had her greatest scoring game versus NU this season, with 22 points. Shevana Laput supported her with a superb 16-point performance based on 11 attacks. 

However, DLSU head coach Ramil de Jesus understands that scoring is not a problem for his team. For him, Canino and Laput’s scoring will not be enough unless they are complemented by playmaking.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

“Ang problema ko lang talaga is ma-maximize ‘yung mga spikers namin. Although pag umabot naman yung set, nakakapatay naman,” De Jesus told the media on his way out of the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Kitang kita naman yung difference nung setting. Kahit naman sa last interviews ko, yun yung sinasabi ko. So hopefully, sa next game, mas maayos na yung setting namin,” he went on to say.

With everything on the line, will Belen and Alyssa Solomon receive a well-deserved send-off? Or will Canino and Laput deliver a stunner to force a Game 2? It will all fall into place when the game begins at 5:00 p.m.