Mhicaela Belen and Jen Nierva returned to their usual numbers on Sunday in National University’s quick sweep of University of the East, 25-23, 25-9, 25-12.
The Lady Bulldogs duo were both benched in their game against University of the Philippines after dropping the first set against the then 1-3 Fighting Maroons.
In order to come back to their normal roles, the two needed to find their lethal form again.
“Coming to this game ang mindset ko lang is to really play my role kasi yung game namin sa UP ang dami kong learnings na ang dami kong iniisip to the point na hindi ako nakafocus kung ano ang nasa harap ko,” said Nierva, who led NU’s floor defense with seven digs and six excellent receptions against UE which just got 18 points off spikes.
“Naging motivation po siya personally sa akin kasi yun nga po hindi po ako nakapaglaro against sa UP. Sabi ko hindi naman ako ganon. Balik lang ako sa goal ng team namin at ano yung goal ko this season,” said Belen, who made 13 points after going scoreless against the Fighting Maroons.
After surviving Adamson University in five sets, losing to University of Santo Tomas in five, and giving up one set to UP, Nierva and Belen knew they need to rediscover themselves.
They needed to find the Lady Bulldogs that won 20 straight games and swept Season 84 en route to their first championship in 65 years.
Belen was named the league’s first-ever rookie MVP in the women’s tournament while Nierva was Best Libero.
“Napansin namin yung past games namin hindi kami masyadong nageenjoy so sabi namin why not ibalik namin yung kung ano yung dating kami, yung dating NU na masaya lang naglalaro sa loob ng court,” shared Belen.
“Nakita ko yung game ko non it’s not really me eh. Nakita ko na parang one factor yun na nahila ko rin yung team ko pababa so sabi ko hindi na pwedeng maulit yun,” Nierva added.
Head coach Karl Dimaculangan, meanwhile, knows his players are professional and are bound to bounce back after being benched.
“Kilala ko naman sila and alam ko na babawi at babawi sila.”
