It was Cess Robles and Mhicaela Belen who acted as National University’s rock during their two-game funk, losing on back-to-back sweeps against De La Salle University in four days.
Lady Bulldogs captain Cess Robles dug deep to inspire her team, looking back on their 16-0 run en route to the championship last Season 84.
“Yung character namin since champion team kami last year, so kailangan namin ibalik kung ano kami dati,” said Robles after NU jumped back to the win column on Saturday against University of the Philippines, 25-21, 27-25, 25-20.
“Binalikan ulit namin ‘yun ginawa namin ulit sa training,” she added.
Robles worked double time to return to her usual role of outside hitter after being held to just a service specialist in their second round collision with the Lady Spikers, no thanks to a minor meniscus injury.
Belen, on the other hand, pointed out how they lacked discipline against their nemesis from Taft Avenue.
The Season 84 Rookie MVP added discipline was what they learned when they had a training camp in Japan last December.
“Kailangan lang namin ibalik ‘yung disiplina namin. Kasi ‘yun po ‘yung natutunan ko nung nag Japan kami na kailangan may disiplina ka outside and inside the court,” said Belen, who made 19 points and 13 excellent receptions against UP.
“So siguro po nasa sa amin na ‘yun kung pano namin i-apply ‘yung disiplina na ‘yun sa game.”
Belen also bared what transpired after their second consecutive defeat to La Salle – vowing that they would be better moving forward.
The Lady Bulldogs are still inside the Top Four with a 6-3 record, tied with University of Santo Tomas for third and fourth spots.
“Bago po kami nag-move on nung talo namin, syempre nag-usap-usap po kami kung ano bang nangyari, kung bakit kami natalo. And from that po, nag-move forward kami and pinromise namin sa sarili namin na dapat hindi na yun maulit,” shared Belen.
“Inumpisahan po namin siya sa training. These past few days po yung training namin maganda, nakita naman po ngayon lumabas naman po sa game.”
