After going down two sets and trailing 7-11 in the decider, the Lady Bulldogs turned the tides and emerged victorious, with head coach Regine Diego believing her players have the mental fortitude to hurdle such tall tasks.

“I actually never really doubted the players na hindi nila makuha, I know they were going to fight till the end, because this is not the first time this happened,” said Diego after NU improved to 3-0 at FEU’s expense.

“Even [sa] Shakey’s, even before so many games this happened na with them. That’s why I kept on telling them na this is not new to them, sanay tayo rito, kunin natin,” she added.

With Aly Devosora, Kyle Pendon, Cla Loresco, Jaz Ellarina, and Gerz Petallo running the show for the Lady Tamaraws, Panique, Cantada, and Vange Alinsug waited for the perfect time to counterattack, anchoring the offense for the Bulldogs who sprung back to life after seeing themselves trapped on a 0-2 hole.

Rising above the rest was the 22-year-old Panique who answered the call and produced a career-best of 27 points off 23 kills, three blocks, and one ace.

“Sobrang saya lang po kasi makikita naman sa team namin no’ng first and second sets, medyo nahirapan kami, nag-slow down kami. Binigay kolang po talaga ‘yong best ko,” said Panique, who carries experience from her Alas Pilipinas stint along setter Lams Lamina for NU.

“Kailangan ako ng team, kailangan ko mag-step up, and na-inspire ako sa mga kasama ko no’ng 3rd set hanggang 5th set na ilaban… kasi nakikita ko ‘yong eagerness nilang manalo, kaya binibigay ko nalang ‘yong best ko,” she added.

Vying in her final year as a Lady Bulldog, Lams Lamina displayed her veteran poise by reminding her young teammates to just maintain their composure under heavy pressure.

“Simula no’ng natalo kami ng two sets, nag-slow down talaga kami do’n at nag-adjust kaagad sa pasa,” said Lamina. “Ni-remind kolang sa mga teammates ko no’ng pinasok ako, kailangan lang maging compose hanggang sa dulo.”