NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University star Bella Belen turned emotional after the Lady Bulldogs got back at University of Santo Tomas in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Sunday night.
Belen shed tears after playing her heart out and finishing with 24 points, 13 digs, and 10 excellent receptions as NU dealt UST its first loss, 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20, in front of 10,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Sa training pa lang kasi may sinet na talaga kaming goal kung ano yung gusto namin ngayon sa game sa UST. And ayaw namin kasi maulit yung nangyari nung La Salle game na after the game, meron kaming what ifs, meron kaming panghihinayang,” said Belen.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round
“Naging mindset lang namin is dapat after nitong game, wala kaming what ifs, kailangan ibigay talaga yung best namin and yun, naging emotional po kaming lahat kasi talagang nakita namin na binigay namin yung best namin.”
That opening weekend loss to the Golden Tigresses served as a wakeup call for the Lady Bulldogs, who have won seven of their last eight games since then.
Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Feeling ko mas clear sa bawat isa sa amin kung ano yung goal namin compared doon sa Round One na natalo po kami kasi sa galaw palang namin, nakikita na namin na parang hindi kami isa,” Belen said. “Pero ngayon, parang yun nga, sobrang clear nung goal samin na kahit anong gawin namin, or kung ano pagawa sa amin ng coach namin, tanggap lang kami nang tanggap para pagdating sa game, di na kami mahirapan.”
“[Yung biggeest change is yung] drive to win the game kasi every game, need dapat may improvement. Nung La Salle, natalo man kami, nakita namin na nag-improve kami and dinadala namin yun every game. Yung mindset din ng team, mas intact ngayon, mas gusto naming manalo ngayon,” she added.
Belen said that the Lady Bulldogs are also banking on trust as Vange Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon also lifted the team with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
“Naniniwala ako sa teammates ko. Every time na nakaka-point yung UST sa amin, lagi ko lang sinasabi sa teammates ko na magtiwala lang sila, na pusuan lang namin yung game and yun nga, kasi, kilala ko na po sila eh, matagal ko na po silang kasama, yung mga iba ko ring teammates na alam ko kung ano yung kakayanan nila,” she said.
Belen and the Lady Bulldogs take a Holy Week break before facing the University of the East Lady Warriors on April 3 at Mall of Asia Arena.