Can the NU Lady Bulldogs go all the way?

COACHES hate it when their teams are named the “favorite” to win a tournament. There is a fear that the tag will create a false sense of security and make players complacent and cocky.

The label also encourages opponents to play better because there is a desire to beat the best.

Coaches prefer being the underdog, except perhaps in boxing where fighters want to have any kind of psychological edge.

The underdog tag allows teams to sneak up on the supposed favorites and in a way, allow them to play sans any unnecessary added pressure.

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In the Shakey’s V-League, National University has no choice. With six straight wins and dropping only one set to date, the Lady Bulldogs are the unquestioned favorite to land in the finals. They just have to live with it and see how they can go.

NU’s success is anchored on guest player Rubie de Leon. The veteran setter-playmaker runs the Bulldogs’ offense, tossing a variety of precise sets that are capitalized on by the Twin Towers, Dindin and Jaja Santiago.

The quick sets result in merciless kills that are delivered just above the net. The Santiago sisters add spice to the shots by jumping high for them and not just relying on their above-six feet frames.

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There are other strikers as well.

Myla Pablo, Aiko Urdas and Carmina Aganon are all part of the hitting rotation, making it difficult for defenses to predict who will unleash the blows.

Pablo is a thrill to watch because her open hits are delivered with ferocious power that roars at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

De Leon adds to the scoring sock with her occasional dump balls that catch opponents off guard. She doesn’t unleash her forays that often lest defenders know they’re coming. De Leon uncorks it when it looks like she’s going to do a routine toss, and then her sneaky side dumps find an open space.

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The only facet of the NU game that hasn’t been really tested is its defense in a really pressure-packed encounter.

The showdown with erstwhile equally undefeated Ateneo last May 5 turned out to be so one-sided as NU was unstoppable on offense.

The Lady Bulldogs took the first two sets with Pablo uncorking hit after hit. The third set was a bit of a struggle as the Lady Eagles reached set point first but NU held steady and completed the straight-set sweep of the defending champions. NU definitely has what it takes to win the Shakey’s V-League first conference.

But if there is a team that could match its height and savvy, it might be UST. The Tigresses have played themselves into shape after losing on opening day to Ateneo.

They seemed to have rediscovered what it takes to grind out games just as they did against Adamson at the start of the quarterfinals. UST took the first two sets, lost its grip in the next two and recovered just in time to settle the score in the fifth.

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Regardless of sport, the usual answer of Filipino coaches when asked how it feels to be the team to beat in a tournament is that they will continue to work hard and improve.

I have yet to hear a coach who will claim the favorite tag and see it through with a championship. It seems a cultural layer of ours to downplay one’s chances lest be accused of being snooty and outright mayabang (overly proud or cocky).

It could prove to be fatal if opponents know you think too highly of yourself.