The NU Lady Bulldogs look to end their five-game losing skid against the DLSU Lady Spikers in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball tournament.
In their last five matchups, De La Salle University has had the advantage over National University.
But in their upcoming second-round matchup, the Lady Bulldogs have been presented with a golden opportunity to conquer their rivals with reigning MVP Angel Canino still nursing an arm injury.
Canino had to sit out the Lady Spikers’ last two games. While the Lady Spikers still pulled out the wins, the matches exposed weaknesses in La Salle’s game.
[ALSO READ: 'Bad win' | Coach Noel Orcullo gets honest on De La Salle's performance after escaping UE in five sets]
The Lady Bulldogs though say they are not thinking of this uncertainty. Instead, they're focusing on what they can control--their own preparations ahead of the crucial bout on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena at 4:00 p.m.
“Hindi namin iniisip na hindi maglalaro si Angel, so laro lang kami ng laro namin. Hindi porket si Angel malaki 'yung impact niya sa team nila. Kami, we [will] just play our game,” Vange Alinsud said during the post-game press conference.
Season 84 ROY-MVP Bella Belen, who had a subpar game in their straight-set win over Ateneo de Manila University, also shared her thoughts of NU's chances with or without Season 85 ROY-MVP Canino playing for La Salle.
“Confident naman ako sa team namin na kaya naming lumaban with or without Angel. Kasi alam ng bawat isa sa amin kung ano 'yung trabaho namin, kung ano 'yung goal namin,” said Belen.
“Sabi namin, i-expect namin na kumpleto 'yung La Salle na talagang pati si Angel maglalaro and hindi dapat kami mag-underestimate ng kalaban. Kumbaga nandun pa rin 'yung respect, kung nandun man si Angel or wala, kailangan 'yung performance namin talagang maganda,” she added.
Both NU and DLSU are already secured of spots in the Final Four, but this match remains crucial. A win for either the Lady Bulldogs or Lady Spikers will boost their chances of securing a twice-to-beat advantage over the other.
[ALSO READ: UAAP schedule: NU-DLSU Finals rematch headline this week's crucial round 2 slate]
That’s why team captain Erin Pangilinan is looking to tame her squad’s emotions as they look to stay focused solely on their goal on Sunday.
“When it comes to emotion talaga, I think papasok na diyan 'yung goal namin. Knowing De La Salle, they will do something sa Sunday and we have to be ready about it also, mentally and physically,” said Pangilinan.
The NU-DLSU game will be aired on One Sports, the UAAP Varsity Channel, and the Pilipinas Live app.