The NU Lady Bulldogs gave the chance for their bench players to shine against an undermanned Ateneo Blue Eagles squad for a 2-0 start in UAAP Season 87.
NU Lady Bulldogs coach Sherwin Meneses enjoyed the luxury of shuffling his players against an injury-hit Ateneo Lady Eagles in their second game of UAAP Season 87.
The Bulldogs cruised to a straight set win, 25-23, 25-19, 25-15, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Wednesday.
Save for a gritty challenge by the Lady Eagles in Set 1, who were without Zel Tsunashima and Jlo Delos Santos, the Lady Bulldogs were hardly challenged in the next two sets — setting up a dominant 2-0 start to their title defense for the year.
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NU rams past depleted Ateneo for 2-0 start in UAAP Season 87]
Though still leaning on superstars Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon in the early goings of the match, with the latter taking Player of the Game honors with her 12 points, all 14 players were able to play for the defending champions.
Chams Maaya led the cavalry of second stringers as she ended up with six points in two sets. Sheena Toring added three markers after playing in the first and third sets.
After the match, Meneses credit his team for the “total team effort.”
“Talagang total team effort 'yung nangyari ngayon sa game. Hopefully, mag-improve pa 'yung [team] effort ng team sa mga next game namin." said Meneses.
He also applauded his bench players for being able to stay ready no matter when he called them, especially since it was a short turnaround for stars like Belen and Solomon who played heavy minutes during opening weekend against La Salle.
Now that he has seen his role players contribute, Meneses hopes to see them continue making an impact for the defending champions.
"Siyempre, sobrang happy kasi 'yung mga bench players namin talagang ready. Pag pinasok mo talagang nagco-contribute talaga. 'Yun naman lagi 'yung sinasabi namin sa training: kailangan trabaho, ready, maging competitive sa bawat point na darating sa kanila.” said Meneses.
“So, happy kami kasi lahat nag-contribute nung bench players namin. Hopefully, next game namin, mag-contribute pa sila." he added.
NU has won two games without giving up a set so far in UAAP Season 87. They face their next test on Sunday, February 23, against FEU.
The Lady Bulldogs were dragged into a winner-take-all Game Three in their Final Four series last year against the Lady Tams.