Veteran Lady Bulldogs Bella Belen and Erin Pangilinan shake off the pressure of being the only undefeated team left in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.
National University is currently the hottest team in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball as it extended its undefeated start to four games with their annihilation of University of the East, 25-12, 25-11, 25-20, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Saturday, March 1.
After facing a tough challenge from Far Eastern U in a five-setter the last time out, the Lady Bulldogs recovered their lethal form against the listless Lady Warriors, hardly breaking a sweat as they are now the only team remaining without a loss.
But NU, led by veteran leaders Bella Belen and Erin Pangilinan, are not too concerned about their record.
For reigning Most Valuable Player Belen, it is all about the Lady Bulldogs keeping their eyes on the prize — a successful title defense that would make them champions a third time in the last four seasons.
“Ako, for me, hindi naman namin masiyadong iniisip 'yung pagiging unbeaten kasi mahaba 'yung tournament. Gusto lang naming makamit kung ano 'yung goal namin this season, magkatalo man kami or hindi,” said Belen, who finished with 18 points.
“Basta’t makukuha namin 'yung goal namin.” she added.
Looking too far ahead could lead to pressure that might make them overthink during their matches, according to Belen.
“Kapag masyado naming iniisip siguro na unbeaten kami, siguro mapi-pressure kami and masiyado kaming maku-conscious sa galaw namin,” said Belen.
“Kailangan lang naming i-perform everyday, every game, kung ano 'yung pinag-aralan namin sa training.”
Pangilinan, for her part, makes things more manageable for herself by focusing on each moment as it comes, as reminded by NU coach Sherwin Meneses.
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“More on trabaho lang talaga and set aside na muna 'yung title defense, 'yung unbeaten. 'Yun nga ang laging sinasabi sa'min ni coach Sherwin na one game, one point at a time,” said Pangilinan.
“Na hindi namin puwedeng madaliin. Hindi namin puwedeng biglain 'yung every game and every point. Tiyaga lang talaga every game.”
Against UE, Pangilinan chipped in eight points with her work on the net.
The next thing on the Lady Bulldogs' plate is University of the Philippines which they will face on March 9.