Reigning MVP Bella Belen happy to see her team meet their expectations as NU returned to the win column in UAAP Season 87.
After expressing concern over NU’s performance in their last game, Bella Belen was able to get some of the pressure off as the Lady Bulldogs were able to return to their winning ways at the expense of the winless UE Lady Warriors on Wednesday afternoon.
Prone to upset losses against lower-ranked teams in UAAP Season 87, the Lady Bulldogs made no mistake about their match against the determined Lady Warriors.
That is, they flexed all the might they could muster, playing without Alyssa Solomon who’s continuing to nurse a mild ankle sprain since last game.
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With the Final Four now looming, and a twice-to-beat advantage within reach for the defending champions, Belen couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief as the Lady Bulldogs seem to be going back on the right track.
“I'm very happy na nakabawi 'yung team kasi medyo masakit sa part namin 'yung nangyari last game which is 'yun nga natalo kami. And lagi ko lang nire-remind 'yung team dapat yung mga susunod na laro namin, dapat 'yung performance namin mataas.” said Belen after the game.
“Hindi 'yung porket, ano, 'yung kalaban namin is lower ranked team, mababa na din 'yung performance namin. So dapat kami, may standard kami sa paglalaro.” she added.
And it wasn’t just about falling victim to teams below them in the standings. But it was more so about not being able to get the best out of them in the games where they lost.
As far as Belen is concerned, both she and the rest of the NU Lady Bulldogs have the responsibility to live up to par to their own expectations, and what they know they can do as a team and as an individual.
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Whether or not it results in a win, Belen believes that going all out is the only goal for the team. Thankfully against UE, going all out meant a blistering win for the Lady Bulldogs.
“Kumbaga, may goal kami as a team and as a player. And ayun, I'm very happy kasi nagawa naman ng bawat isa 'yung trabaho ngayong game.” she said.
Belen led the cavalry with 16 points in just three sets. But all players fielded by head coach Sherwin Meneses apart from the two liberos scored as well.
Against UE, all players save for the injured Solomon, were able to play.
NU now shifts their focus to the Ateneo Blue Eagles whom they face on Palm Sunday, April 13, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.