UAAP volleyball: NU back on track, but still determined to improve

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Bella Belen in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — National University bounced back from its tough loss to rival and defending champion La Salle but Bella Belen still sees a lot of things to resolve for the Lady Bulldogs in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament.

NU needed to overcome the University of the Philippines’ valiant effort before getting away with a 25-21, 30-32. 25-17, 25-19, to regain its winning ways on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Belen admitted their frustrating defeat to La Salle, where they blew a 2-1 advantage, four days ago was a tough pill to swallow, but she encouraged her teammates to move on heading to the second round.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball second round

“It was saddening. We were almost there,”  said Belen, who delivered 21 points and eight digs on Wednesday. “We didn’t have time to dwell on the loss because the second round started right away. We won’t get anywhere if we had kept our sad girl mood on.”

“We talked among ourselves on what we need to improve and we sad that we’ll just try to get back at La Salle when we face them again.”

Bella Belen, Chammy Maaya, and Vange Alinsug after a tough game against UP. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Y4RWf84OP9

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 20, 2024

However, it wasn’t smooth sailing for the Lady Bulldogs to start the second round as they gave up 31 errors and needed to stave off the Fighting Maroons’ season-high 15 blocks, led by Pling Baclay’s nine kill blocks.

“When UP was catching up, we were starting to have doubts so the errors were coming out,” said Belen. “So we went back to our system and trust. We also realized we shouldn’t stop going hard until the game is over.”

READ: NU fends off UP to begin UAAP women’s volleyball second round

The Lady Bulldogs, who improved to a 6-2 record to start the second round, are seeking to avenge their opening-day loss to the unbeaten University of Santo Tomas on Sunday at the Big Dome.

Belen, the first-ever women’s rookie MVP in Season 84 two years ago, wants her team to keep on working hard until they reach their ultimate goal this year: reclaiming the title they lost to La Salle in the Season 85 Finals.

“We cannot afford to lose again especially since we have two losses now,” she said. “All our opponents are competitive and they want to beat us, so we always have to be aggressive.”