After two shock losses against lower-ranked teams, reigning MVP Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs refuse to bow down to anyone again in UAAP Season 87.
The NU Lady Bulldogs are banking on their desire to propel themselves to a successful title defense in UAAP Season 87, as they are now on a win streak after their stinging loss to the Adamson Lady Falcons late in the second round.
Back in their lethal form with Alyssa Solomon recovered from injury, NU now looks to rebuild momentum as the Final Four are already on the horizon.
For reigning MVP Bella Belen, something in the Lady Bulldogs shifted after the two losses to lower-ranked teams this season — one against UP and one against Adamson.
Knowing the calibre of their own skills, the Lady Bulldogs had to dig deep and deny the pressure they’ve been carrying around all season as the defending champions. As she plays her last few games in the NU program, Belen is expected to go all out.
“Last year po kasi, umaagaw kami ng crown. Ngayon, nagde-defend kami. So mas mahirap mag-defend kesa umagaw. So ngayon parang nung una 'yung pressure nasa amin kung paano namin de-defend 'yung crown,” Belen said after their sweep win over Ateneo.
“Siguro, blessing in disguise na rin na natalo kami kasi parang medyo nag-loosen up 'yung bawat isa sa'min and talagang dinamdam namin 'yung bawat pagkatalo and sinabi namin sa sarili namin dapat hindi na siya maulit. Siguro mas special lang [din] siya ngayon kasi, 'yung mga seniors, gurang, graduating na. So, ayun, very talagang every game talagang binibigay namin 'yung best namin kasi it might be our last,” she added.
Since losing against Adamson last weekend, NU has since been on a tear, winning six straight sets across the two games. More importantly, the Lady Bulldogs have assured themselves of a top-2 finish, which comes with twice-to-beat advantage.
[READ: Alyssa Solomon returns as NU picks up 2x-to-beat for UAAP Season 87 Final Four]
After seeing their spirit crushed, Belen is beaming with pride to see her teammates respond well to the challenges.
“Napagusapan naman namin siya kagabi na ayaw na namin maulit 'yung nangyari before. So dapat kami, kung ano 'yung kaya namin gawin every game, kahit sino pa yung kalaban, dapat ginagawa namin,” said Belen.
“Kumbaga, parang kami dapat 'yung nagd-dictate ng laro, kung gusto namin manalo, dapat sinisipagan namin, hindi 'yung inaantay lang namin na ibigay 'yung points ng kalaban,” she continued.
But NU will have some time before they have to lock in anew as they face a lengthy break with the Holy Week observance looming.
The Lady Bulldogs will next play on Sunday, April 27, still at the Big Dome.
With a lot of time to recenter and rejuvenate during the holiday break, Belen said that they will be eager to be as prepared as they can when they face the UST Golden Tigresses in their last game of the elimination round.
“Siguro mas magiging detalyado kami ngayon sa training kasi yun nga, medyo mahaba po yung break so maraming chance na pwede namin pagaralan yung UST kasi may game pa po sila sa Wednesday,” said Belen.
“So yun, papanoorin po namin yung game nila, titignan kung ano yung pwede namin gawin and susubukan namin siyang iperfect sa training palang. Para pagdating sa araw na kalaban namin yung UST, maging maganda yung kalabasan ng game.”