NU’s competitiveness key to mastery over UST, Final Four success

There is no secret to the NU Lady Bulldogs’ success, especially against fierce rival UST who they now beat five times in a row.

This was after NU denied the Golden Tigresses a comeback victory in five sets on Sunday to cap off the elimination round in UAAP Season 87.

For opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon, it just came down to something so simple and pure: competitiveness.

 

[READ: NU fights off UST in 5 sets as Golden Tigresses miss outright UAAP Final Four bonus]

 

“Siguro kasi competitive kami as individuals. So parang, doon palang alam na namin na kaya namin ipanalo yung games namin,” Solomon said, after firing off 23 points in the 5-set thriller on Sunday. “Maski sa teammates namin hindi kami pumapayag na matalo kami sa kanila.”

 

The same mindset is expected to keep the Lady Bulldogs at the top of their game during the Final Four as well, as they go on a one-week break before clashing with the FEU Lady Tamaraws — a team that dragged them into the deep water last year.

 

Eager to bring one more title to Jhocson before they leave the Bulldogs’ lair, Solomon said they’ll need to give the best examples to their younger teammates.

 

“Syempre, as seniors, kami 'yung taga-remind sa team na kailangan hindi mawala 'yung fire sa paglalaro. Lalo na sa training pag may minsan may tinatamad-tamad,” said Solomon.

 

“Kino-call out agad para aware siya na ganon 'yung ginagawa niya sa training. Then after naman non, 'yun, lumalabas na 'yung laro niya and 'yung kung paano talaga siya mag-training. So ayun. Remind lang po talaga [sa team].”

 

Among her fellow veterans in the team is MVP frontrunner Bella Belen, who also underscored the impact of each and everyone in the 14-woman NU squad.

 

[RELATED: Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon keen on still improving for NU Lady Bulldogs ahead of UAAP Final Four]

 

Despite being the top two scorers of the team with Solomon, Belen said that they will need everyone to respond, especially when the going gets tough in the semifinals.

 

“Sa amin, hindi naman porket may points ka o wala kang points wala ka nang tinutulong sa team. ‘Yung iba po naming teammates na kahit hindi ganoon kataas ‘yung scoring malaki po 'yung naitulong… lalo na sa defense… sa mga serves… sa mga transitions… sa mga ganyan… Tsaka very happy, kasi lahat ng naipapasok sa loob nag-ko-contribute,” said Belen, who ended up with a triple-double against UST. 

 

“Kasi ganoon naman po yung team namin, kahit sino ipasok, naniniwala kami na kayang mag-contribute, malaki po ‘yung potential ng team, at mataas po ‘yung skills ng mga bata. Happy lang na nakapagperform ang bawat isa,” she continued.

 

Belen and Solomon, along with the rest of the NU Lady Bulldogs begin their final quest for their third crown in the last four seasons when they start their Final Four battle against FEU next weekend.

 

Meanwhile, the other semifinal pairing between UST and La Salle will collide once before on Wednesday as they figure in a one-game playoff for the twice-to-beat advantage.