Arah Panique vowed to atone for her costly mistake that handed De La Salle University a sweep of the UAAP Season 88 collegiate women’s volleyball elimination round last Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
That redemption came in National University’s very next game — one with massive implications that could have sent the Lady Bulldogs down a tougher road back to the Finals.
Panique delivered 24 points on 21-of-43 attacks, along with two blocks and one ace, plus six digs, as NU stunned the University of Santo Tomas with a reverse sweep, 19-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 15-13, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Gusto lang po naming makabawi sa pagkatalo namin last game kasi ’yun ‘yung pinanghuhugutan talaga namin, ‘yung game na ’yun. Masaya lang din po kami kasi makikita naman po ‘yung team effort namin and teamwork po,” said the third-year opposite spiker.
Against La Salle, which was then at 13-0, NU appeared to have tied the fifth set at 14-all following an initial four-touch call against the Lady Spikers.
However, La Salle challenged for a block touch, and upon review, the video challenge referee spotted an earlier infraction — a net fault by Panique that occurred before the four-touch violation.
This prompted the first referee, Jay Deriquito, to initiate a referee’s challenge, ultimately awarding the point, the win, and the Finals berth to the Lady Spikers.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
This victory against UST not only exorcised the ghosts of that previous loss for Panique but also secured the second seed for NU in the stepladder.
With this, the Lady Bulldogs gain much-needed rest and recovery, with two games set to take place before they return to the Taraflex.
UST and Far Eastern University will first battle for the fourth seed. The winner then advances to face Adamson University in the stepladder quarterfinal.
“Siguro hindi naman po maiiwasan na mabi-blame ko yung sarili ko noon kasi it’s my fault naman po talaga. So this game, siguro ibinigay ko na lang yung best ko talaga na makabawi for the team, na makuha namin yung slot two na yun para hindi na rin kami mahirapan ta’s makapagpahinga rin po kami,” said Panique.
The back-to-back defending champions are now just one win away from returning to the Finals and continuing their pursuit of a third consecutive crown.
Panique, a former Alas Pilipinas member, will be crucial in NU’s bid — and she appears to be peaking at the perfect time.
