The NU Lady Bulldogs had to overcome a pesky UP Fighting Maroons to grab their sixth win in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 20.
It wasn't the start to the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament that National University had necessarily hoped for.
After their five-set heartbreak against De La Salle University, the Lady Bulldogs had to work hard for their four-set victory over the University of the Philippines.
Despite the win, Bella Belen admitted that the team might still be reeling from the loss last Saturday, expressing her concerns, as well with the team's slow starts.
"I believe nag slow start kami. Hindi ko alam kung anong naging dahilan kung bakit. Siguro dahil hindi nakapag-warm up ng maayos and parang 'yung utak ng team is parang kahit sinasabi namin na nakapag-move on sa pagkatalo sa La Salle," Belen said during the post-game press conference.
"I think meron pa rin talagang slight na hindi pa rin talaga naka-move on. Parang gustong-gusto namin bumawi and sa sobrang kakaisip namin na gusto naming bumawi, hindi kami maka-galaw ng maayos," she added.
When asked about the team's warm ups before their match versus UP, Belen, who finished with 21 points and 13 excellent receptions, simply attributed it to the men's volleyball match between UST and Ateneo going long. The game lasted a full five sets.
"Parang fourth set palang tapos na kami mag warm up. Siguro pag-usapan nalang namin if ganun mangyari ano mga adjustments para hindi na mangyari," said Belen.
With the second round already underway, the Season 84 Rookie-MVP said that the Lady Bulldogs can no longer afford a loss. NU currently sits with a 6-2 record for third in the standings.
"I believe na hangga't hindi namin nakukuha yung goal na gusto namin, hindi dapat talaga kami tumigil lalo na at ngayon dalawa na talo namin ngayon season, so we cannot afford any loss na talaga kasi mahirap na," said Belen.
"Lagi ko lang sinasabi sa teammates ko na hanggat hindi pa tapos 'yung laro, huwag kaming hihinto kasi hanggat hindi pa 25, kaya pa kaming habulin ng kalaban and sabi ko lahat ng kalaban is competitive, gusto kaming talunin, so dapat ganun din kami, maging aggressive kami," she added.
Belen and the rest of the NU will face the UST Golden Tigresses on Sunday, March 24 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City at 4:00 p.m.