UAAP: Bella Belen says NU played with more pressure in loss

Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs during the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four against FEU Lady Tamaraws.–MARLO CUEETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Bella Belen admitted that top seed National University felt more pressured than Far Eastern University despite having a twice-to-beat edge in the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball Final Four.

“For me, kanina masyadong tense yung laro, parang yung pressure napunta sa amin. Ni-remind ko kanina yung teammates ko nung set 2 na hindi kami dapat ang nape-pressure kasi yung FEU pag natalo namin sila dito, laglag na sila so yung pressure nasa kanila. Pero parang ang ending po, yung pressure napunta sa amin,” said Belen after a tough 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 loss to No. 4 FEU on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Failing to loosen up during the game led to NU’s 25 errors and woeful 34-of-123 attacking clip with Vange Alinsug and Alyssa Solomon being limited to just eight and seven kills, respectively.

READ: UAAP women’s volleyball: FEU forces Final Four decider, upsets NU

Belen admits NU played tense vs FEU. #UAAPSeason86 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/gHZp6Z58Yt

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 4, 2024

“Hindi namin masyadong na-enjoy yung game, kaya yun dun na lumabas yung mga miscommunication, yung mga errors, masyado rin pong gigil e,” said Belen, who was the lone double-digit scorer for NU with 12 points on top of six digs and six excellent receptions.

NU completed a seven-game second-round sweep to seal the top seed with a 12-2 record after dominating FEU last week. Belen lamented the team’s lack of killer instinct when it mattered most in their campaign.

Bella Belen.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“Maganda po yung pinakita ng FEU, talagang na-outsmart po talaga kami.  Siguro sa team namin, ako kasi lagi kong nire-remind yung teammates ko na meron talaga akong feeling, kagabi pa lang na baka ma-relax kami kasi natalo namin ang FEU, Sabi ko, lagi ko silang nireremind na huwag dapat kaming makampante. Twice-to-beat kami, dapat hindi na namin paabutin sa do-or-die,” she said.

READ: To stay locked in, NU Lady Bulldogs turn to Rubik’s cube

After missing the chance to maximize their advantage, the do-it-all spiker kept her faith in her teammates as they go back to the drawing board, hoping to play better in their final opportunity to reach a third straight trip to the finals.

“Kilala ko yung teammates ko, alam ko kung anong kaya naming gawin. Pangit man ang game kanina, masyadong maraming errors, merong mga off yung laro, pero alam kong babawi sila. Fighter yung team namin,” said the first UAAP women’s volleyball rookie MVP. “Talo kami pero dito masusubok yung pagiging buo namin as a team na hindi kami dapat magsisihan. Tapos na e. Kailangan na lang naming mag-move forward and magtrabaho.”

NU and FEU clash for a finals berth on Wednesday at the Big Dome.

“Wala nang urungan. Kung matalo man kami, wala na. Kunng manalo kami, papasok kami sa finals so kailangan naming ibigay lahat, ibuhos na namin lahat, kasi wala na pong mawawala kung gawin namin yung 100 percent effort,” Belen said.