At the sold-out Filoil EcoOil Centre, National University redeemed itself over its first-round tormentor University of Santo Tomas on Wednesday.
The Lady Bulldogs, except for a third-set hiccup, took down the Golden Tigresses, 25-16, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14. And now, they move on the cusp of getting the last twice-to-beat advantage come the Final Four.
Reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen shared that having a roaring wild crowd definitely helped them regain their confidence.
Nationalians, Thomasians, and volleyball fans filled the San Juan venue to the roof in an all-important match-up that greatly affected the race for the No. 2 spot.
NU just needs to win against Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday to seal the twice-to-beat incentive.
“I think mas competitive po ngayong collegiate, and yung crowd grabe talaga. Hindi naman po ganito yung crowd namin nung high school – halos parang kalahati lang po,” said Belen, who made 16 points and 12 excellent receptions.
“Siguro dagdag din po yun kasi para sa amin, nakaka-boost din yung kung paano po kami maglalaro, eh na nakikita naming may sumusuporta sa amin.”
UST High School and then-Nazareth School of National University figured in a Finals collision for the girls’ volleyball championship for five straight editions from Season 76 to Season 80.
Belen was referring to their Season 80 championship clash, where the Lady Bullpups swept the Eya Laure-led Junior Tigresses regarding the support back then versus how it is today.
Seasons 76 and 79 title series took place at Adamson Gym, while seasons 77 and 78 were at the then-called Filoil Flying V Centre.
To put things into context, today’s game was just an elimination round game, while their experience playing at The Arena with UST High was during a Finals series.
Golden Tigresses head coach Kungfu Reyes echoed Belen about having a huge crowd in their recent match.
Reyes, who has been coaching in UST for more than a decade, appreciates the fans who have been supporting the school through the highs and lows.
“Very grateful sa community kasi in any walk of life nandito sila,” said the former Army officer.
“Ganoon magmahal ang true Thomasian spirit. Nakaka-overwhelm din. ‘Wag lang namin sila bibigyan ng pangit na laro. Yun lang yung pwede naming ibalik sa kanila kasi nga gumagastos yang mga yan, oras, travel, lahat.”
Laure, for her part, said that playing against familiar faces on the NU side, just like how UST junior players rose to the seniors’ level, is a testament to how solid these programs are.
Among the current players of the Golden Tigresses, Laure, Imee Hernandez, Bernadett Pepito, Renren Peñafiel, Pia Abbu, Maji Mangulabnan, and Janna Torres came from the high school program of the España school.
On the other hand, all but one of the 14 players of the Lady Bulldogs came from NU-Nazareth.
“Syempre masaya sa both parties kasi kung sino yung naglaro nung time namin, halos sila rin yung naglalaro sa kabila eh,” said Laure, who unloaded 17 points.
“Ito nga yung sinabi namin na kung ano yung programa ng NU na nadala sa college, ito rin yung programa ng UST na nadala din namin sa college na buo kami. Kami kami lang din yung naglalaro.”
