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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider NU, Bella Belen get timely boost as Final Four race heats up

NU, Bella Belen get timely boost as Final Four race heats up

Published Apr 13, 2023 10:06 am
National University and last season’s Rookie-Most Valuable Player Bella Belen have gained a much-needed confidence boost just as the last stretch of the second round of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament rolls along. After being dragged into a five-set match by Adamson in their first-round encounter, NU made sure to deliver a statement straight-set victory in their recent meeting, which came just in time to bolster its semifinals bid further. The sophomore spiker, who registered a team-high 20 points to help NU’s playoffs case, drew motivation from the previous five-set squeaker against Adamson. “Dikit ‘yong laban namin noong first round and muntikan pa kaming matalo noon. So sinabi lang namin dapat ‘yong win namin [this time] talagang maganda, ‘yong talagang masasabi mong panalo kami. Isa rin siya sa naging motivation na ayusin namin ngayon. Para makabawi kami noong first round,” said Belen. “Malaking boost siya sa confidence namin, ‘yong Adamson mahirap silang kalaban kasi madepensa sila. Malinis sila gumalaw. And happy kami na nanalo kami this game kasi alam namin sa sarili namin na pinagtrabahuhan namin and di kami nagpabaya. I think pinakamalinis na [panalo namin to] since Round 1,” she added. With the win, the Lady Bulldogs found themselves in a three-way tie for No. 2 with the Lady Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses with a similar 7-3 record in the standings. As NU continues to jockey for the position for a potential twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four, Belen was glad that the reigning champion seemed to have eased into the tournament which will come in handy as the race to its title defense becomes tighter. Despite their current disposition being a far cry from last season where they swept their way to the finals, the Lady Bulldogs are knowingly looking at the brighter side. “Dapat tumingin pa rin kami sa brighter side na meron pa kaming kayang i-improve like ‘yong errors namin, kaya pa namin siya i-minimize eh. And ‘yong consistency and I think nasa sa amin na ‘yon kung paano namin didisiplinahin ‘yong sarili namin.

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