Having fought through countless battles from high school to college in the UAAP, and even competing in the prestigious AVC Club Championship last year, the National University Lady Bulldogs proved their mettle once again.
With their backs against the wall, they dug deep and fought with everything they had to earn a spot in the finals for the fourth consecutive season.
In a grueling five-set thriller on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, they outlasted fourth-seed Far Eastern University, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 17-15, demonstrating that the heart of a champion beats strongest when the pressure is on.
Leading NU to victory was team captain Mhicaela Belen, who finished the intense, sub-three-hour match with 24 points and 14 excellent digs.
Alyssa Solomon also played a crucial role, contributing 21 points.
As veterans on the team, it was up to them to set the example, and they delivered when it mattered most.
“Happy ako kasi nandiyan yung team na nagtatrabaho talaga kasi kanina nga, yun nga, nahirapan kami mag-start,” Solomon shared. “Nung third set, ang mindset ko na nun ay kailangan talaga namin makuha yung set na ito (kundi) wala na (at) next game ulit. Ang mindset ko was one point at a time. One point at a time lang palagi.
“Sinasabi lagi ni Bella: gurang na sa loob ng court. Dapat kami yung unang nagli-lead and kami yung unang kumikilos para yung mga bata sumusunod na lang.”
Despite the valiant effort from the Lady Tamaraws, there was an undeniable feeling that the Lady Bulldogs would eventually find a way back into the game.
After taking the third and fourth sets, NU outlasted FEU 17-15 in the fifth set, showing that if any opponent provided an opening, the Lady Bulldogs would retaliate with fierce determination.
For Belen, her focus was on instilling a sense of urgency in her teammates, particularly the younger players.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
She emphasized that overcoming adversity is key to building character, and the Lady Bulldogs proved that when the pressure mounts, they have the resolve to rise to the occasion.
“Lagi lang kasi naming sinasabi (na) hindi naman natatapos yung game kung mananalo ng one set or dalawang set,” Belen said. “Hangga’t hindi pa tapos yung game, may chance pa kaming lumaban. Yun naman po yung pinakita namin. Talagang trinabaho namin yung third hanggang fifth set. Mahirap eh kasi nakadalawang set na yung FEU, pero kasi malaki yung tiwala ko sa teammates ko na kaya namin ipanalo yung game kahit anomang score or kung ilang set na.
“Siguro isa kami sa nag-remind sa team namin na fifth set na so kailangan itodo namin. As a senior, kailangan samin nanggagaling yung fire para makita ng teammates namin na hindi pa pagod ang mga ate ko (at) dapat ako hindi pa rin pagod. Ni-remind lang namin sila na ‘Ano, parang, pagod na ba kayo? Hindi pa.’ Kailangan namin ilaban kasi pinaabot na namin ng fifth set eh. Sayang naman yung efforts namin kung matatalo lang kami sa fifth set.”
Whether facing De La Salle University or University of Santo Tomas in the finals, NU now has the chance to secure back-to-back titles for the first time since their Season 84 championship.
The Lady Bulldogs will be eager to finish their campaign on the highest note, and at this point, only the gold trophy will suffice.
As their victory over the Lady Tamaraws demonstrated, the road to the championship will not get any easier.
It’s up to the Lady Bulldogs to rally themselves and finish the job.
Starting slow could cost them dearly next time, so it’s back to the drawing board for the defending champions as they prepare for the final battle.
“Pagdating po kasi ng finals, parang back to zero na yung magiging dalawang team,” Belen reflected.
“Kung sino ang pinakagustong manalo, yun ang mananalo. Kailangan mag-recover muna ang mga katawan namin kasi medyo pukpukan ang game ngayon tapos balik kami sa drawing board (pala malaman) kung ano pa yung dapat naming ginawa this game, and kung ano pa yung pwede namin i-improve coming sa finals.”
