Bella Belen says there's an aspect of the NU Lady Bulldogs' mentality they have to change after the five-set defeat vs the DLSU Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
National University sits with a 5-2 record after the first round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs couldn’t end the first round the way they would’ve liked to as they bowed to the DLSU Lady Spikers in five sets. Their other loss came on opening day against the UST Golden Tigresses.
But even with their stinging loss to La Salle, Bella Belen is still taking the positives from their progress so far this season.
Belen had another all-around performance for NU with 20 points that went with 20 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
“For me, 'yung trend namin is paangat kahit natalo kami ngayong game and nakita namin na nag-improve kami simula nung first game namin which is nung natalo kami,” Belen told reporters after the match.
“Hindi pa naman tapos 'yung season eh, meron pa kaming time para mag-improve pa,” she emphasized.
The former Rookie-MVP in Season 84, however, did point out some improvements that the team needs to make after their match against the defending champions.
“Siguro sa team namin is kailangan lang namin mag-trabaho pa as one. Kailangan makita ng ibang teammates or makita ng buong team na meron pa kami talagang kulang and dapat hindi kami mag-relax,” said Belen.
“Minsan sa game kasi, katulad kanina, may instances na lamang kami ng two sets and then parang nag-stop kami which is dapat hindi kasi hindi pa naman tapos 'yung game,” she added.
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As NU prepares for the second round, Belen is not too focused yet on exacting revenge against UST and La Salle.
“Gagawin lang namin is one game at a time. Pag-aaralan namin 'yung una naming makakalaban,” said Belen. “Siguro kakalimutan na muna namin itong game, 'yung talo kami sa dalawang teams, sa UST and La Salle. Pag nakaharap na namin sila sa round two, dun na lang namin ulit sila pag-aaralan.”
There's still plenty of positives for NU after Round 1.
Three players are in the top ten scorers, with Alyssa Solomon in fifth place, Belen in sixth, and Vangie Alinsug in seventh. All three are also in the top spikers category, with Solomon ranking second with a 40.00% success rate, Alinsug in fourth and Belen in sixth.
Bella is also flexing her libero skills, as she is the top outside spiker (fourth place) in the digging department. She ranks fifth in the receiving department with an efficiency of 47.48%
As a whole, NU leads the spiking department with a 35.52% success rate. They are second in digging, setting, and receiving. The Lady Bulldogs are also third in blocking and fourth in serving.
First up for the Lady Bulldogs in the second round will be the University of the Philippines on Wednesday, March 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City at 2:00 p.m.