NU’s Urdas shows flashes of old form in finals opener

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

What a time for Aiko Urdas to churn out her best game to date.

With Jaja Santiago on the bench, the 22-year-old opposite hitter showed that she is back, firing three of National University’s final four points to help her team take Game 1 of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference Finals with a 25-21, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 18-16 over Ateneo on Monday.

“Ang nasa isip ko lang, paluin ng paluin yung bola kasi gusto naming manalo,” she said after finishing with 18 points, 13 from kills, three service aces, and two blocks.

It was a feel good story for the incoming fourth year, coming from an ACL injury which saddled her two years prior and a shoulder injury which deemed her inactive until late last conference.

Urdas said she’s slowly getting her bearings back, though she admits that the fear is still there.

“Unti-unti ng nababalik yung laro ko, pero sobrang hirap pa rin dahil nage-extra work ako at may takot na rin,” she said.

But if this victory gave her anything, it’s that this truly was a shot in the arm as she hopes to continue her recovery back to her old deadly form.

“Sobrang laki ng naitulong nito sa akin at sa team na rin kasi yung confidence namin, umaangat pa lalo,” she said.

Though Urdas said that at times, the Lady Bulldogs still look a bit rattled when the opponent gets the better of them, it’s a nice thing to see the team showing character, especially in this championship duel.

“Natataranta na kami nung nalamangan kami. Di na namin alam yung gagawin sa loob. Nagkakagulo na kami sa loob at wala ng communication,” she said. “Pero ang maganda, parang ang laki na ng pinagbago ng team kasi parang may puso na kami.”

NU can finish the job on Wednesday, still at Philsports Arena in Pasig.