Defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs are looking for consistency as they aim to defend the title in UAAP Season 87.
The NU Lady Bulldogs still have a lot to work on even as they moved to two wins away from a first round sweep of UAAP Season 87, beating the UP Fighting Maroons, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
That is, for two-time UAAP MVP Bella Belen, they’re still far away from the consistency that they will need to conquer all the challenges in Season 87.
Facing tougher and tougher games against teams that are eager to cut them down to size, the Lady Bulldogs believe that they need to continue working on their craft, even as they are the favorites to repeat as champions.
“Kailangan namin maging consistent, kailangan di kami makampante,” said Belen.
“Wala kaming talo these five games, so kailangan on the next games, mas pulido pa yung galaw kasi marami pang teams, halos lahat, pinagaaralan paano ba kami talunin.”
Belen, along with fellow senior Alyssa Solomon, continue to be steady stalwarts for the Lady Bulldogs, taking 17 and 16 points, respectively, in the dominating win over the UP Fighting Maroons.
[READ: Champion NU Lady Bulldogs near first round sweep after drubbing UP in UAAP Season 87]
But with the rest of the league fixed on denying them of a sweep, especially with its Final Four implications, Belen isn’t one to be overconfident in their own skills. With the majority of the season still to unfold, there’s still much to go through before NU is back on top.
“Siyempre ayaw naman [ng lahat ng ibang teams] mag-stepladder. Gusto talaga nilang talunin kami,” said Belen.
“Siguro ang biggest challenge na lang ay paano kami magiging consistent kasi medyo malayo pa yung season, marami pang games, marami pang pwedeng mangyari,” she added.
As for what they’ll need to do, Belen said that it’s up to them. They can’t control how their foes get ready against NU, but they can make sure to do their own work and leave no stone unturned.
“Siguro kami na lang [bahala], paano ba namin mas hihigitan pa yung galaw namin after every game,” she said.
NU’s next test will be in the form of Adamson ace rookie Shaina Nitura and the Lady Falcons, whom they face on Wednesday, March 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena.