De La Salle University just stamped its class in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament by obliterating defending champion National University in three straight sets, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
That victory dropped the Lady Bulldogs to 5-2 in a triple-tie with Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas.
Surely, the dominant days of National U are over.
Adamson first dragged them to five sets before UST completed the job in a thriller. But it was the Lady Spikers who showed that the once-mighty Lady Bulldogs can be beaten without hardly breaking a sweat.
Reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen was the first to admit what is currently lacking in them.
“Siguro po sa aming mga players yung hunger namin sa paglalaro parang medyo nawala po eh,” said Belen, who led NU with 12 points, nine receptions, and seven digs.
“Katulad po ngayong game, makikita po sa La Salle na talagang gusto nila makuha itong game point by point kumpara po sa amin.”
But it was also Belen who knows what should the Lady Bulldogs do to regain their lethal form that swept Season 84.
And they would get their chance for redemption right away as NU and La Salle collide right away to start the second round on Saturday, 5 pm, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
“Siguro balik kami sa self namin kung ano yung goal namin, kung ano talaga yung ultimate goal namin this season para mabalik yung hunger namin sa paglalaro,” said the 20-year-old outside spiker.
“Balik po ulit kami sa training. Mag viewing po kami kahit masakit sa amin panuorin pero kailangan po eh para mapaghandaan namin sila and makita namin kung ano yung naging pagkukulang namin this game.”
Meanwhile, head coach Karl Dimaculangan tipped his hat to the Lady Spikers who were spectacular on all fronts.
La Salle dominated the spiking (39-30), blocking (12-4), service (4-1), and error (11-20) departments.
“La Salle deserve talaga na kanila talaga yung game na ito. They’re very prepared talaga, hustle, eagerness nila, as in complete talaga sila. Sa kanila talaga yung game na ito.”
