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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Bella Belen admits lack of 'hunger' in NU's loss to La Salle 

Bella Belen admits lack of 'hunger' in NU's loss to La Salle 

Published Mar 24, 2023 11:54 am
Defending champion National University refused to fall from grace as it seeks to bounce back against De La Salle in their second round encounter on Wednesday, March 22. Last season’s Rookie-Most Valuable Player Bella Belen, who was the lone bright spot in their straight-set beating from La Salle last March 22, acknowledged that the lack of hunger and desire to win may have resulted in their loss.

*Bella Belen of NU Lady Bulldogs. (UAAP Media)

*
“Siguro po sa aming mga players, iyon hunger namin sa paglalaro. Parang medyo nawala po. Katulad ngayong game makikita pa lang po sa La Salle na gusto makuha tong game point by point kumpara sa amin. So siguro balik kami sa self namin kung ano talaga iyong ultimate goal namin this season para mabalik iyong hunger namin sa paglalaro,” said Belen. Not only the Lady Spikers were able to outscore the Lady Bulldogs in every department, but their limited unforced errors tied everything together, something that Belen pointed out that needed to be remedied in their preparations. After seeing their 20-game winning streak snapped before their eyes at the hands of University of Santo Tomas, NU has since then encountered uncertainties about who will provide the boost in its games. Belen and graduating libero Jen Nierva were both benched in their following game against University of the Philippines, where they needed an extra set to win. “This first round po shaky po iyong galaw namin meron pong mga times or may mga games na hindi namin alam kunyari sa player kung makakapag-perform ba or what. I think nagsa-start po iyan sa preparation namin lagi sa training namin, kung anong ginagalaw. Kaya iyon ‘yong nagiging outcome ng game,” detailed Belen. For head coach Karl Dimaculangan, he expected nothing less from each team this season, particularly from La Salle, which they knew had improved significantly this year. In Season 84, the Lady Bulldogs won every single match against the Lady Spikers in straight sets, which will no longer be the case as they move forward through the season. “Ine-expect namin talaga na mas magiging mahirap tong game na to kasi unang una pa lang off-season comfortable na iyong mga kalaban namin. Preseason game, comfortable. And mahaba kasi iyong prepartion talaga ng lahat ng teams ngayon and may mag new players [coming in] and some naman nawala din mga players. Alam namin na ganitong kahirap iyong magiging bid namin,” said Dimaculangan. Despite the loss, Dimaculangan was quick to admit that their rival, which came prepared, deserved the win more than they did. “After nitong game? La Salle, deserve talaga na kanila talaga iyong game na to. I mean they are very prepared talaga, hustle, eagerness sila. Complete talaga sila. Kanila talaga tong game na to,” he added. The Lady Bulldogs will attempt to get back at the Lady Spikers when they meet in the second round of hostilities on Saturday, March 25, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

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UAAP Season 85 Bella Belen NU Lady Bulldogs De La Salle Lady Spikers
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