Final Four-bound National University will eye payback and redemption when it marches to its next game on Wednesday against the University of Santo Tomas.
The Golden Tigresses ended the Lady Bulldogs’ 20-game winning streak when the two squads met in the first round, via a 25-23, 27-25, 17-25, 22-25, 15-11 decision.
Of course, the defending champions want to get back at UST, but NU’s high-scoring duo – Mhicaela Belen and Alyssa Solomon – know that the idea of getting revenge should not play on their minds, as it can backfire on them.
“Yun nga kasi medyo gigil nga po na manalo dun sa UST kasi natalo po kami last round siguro kailangan lang namin maging composed and ‘yun balik kami sa drawing board kung ano ‘yung magiging game dapat namin, manonood kami tomorrow ng game ng UST – pag aaralan namin sila, hihimay-himayin namin sila,” said Belen, who dropped 21 points on 13 spikes, six aces, and two blocks against University of the East that booked them a slot in the Final Four.
“And then tiyaka namin sila pag-aaralan, tapos onti-onti namin ibubuo ‘yung game plan namin. So ‘yun dapat relax lang kasi pag the more na nanggigil po kasi kami the more na nag eerror kami — na si-stiff kami,” the reigning MVP continued.
“Sa akin po is mag-stick lang kami kung ano ‘yung tine-training namin, and magtitiwala na lang kami sa sistema, and ayun i-aaply namin kung ano ‘yung mga bagay na tine-training namin.”
More than their head-to-head matchup, UST and NU’s showdown at the Filoil EcoOil Centre will also have major implications in the final rankings come the semifinals.
De La Salle University has secured the first twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals, but the second incentive has yet to be claimed. Adamson University and NU have already clinched their Final Four spot, while UST has yet to do so, but a win tomorrow against Far Eastern University will complete the cast.
The Lady Bulldogs are currently second at 9-3, the Lady Falcons are third at 9-4, while the Tigresses are fourth at 8-3.
“Siyempre kahit ‘yun nga pasok na po kami, hindi pa rin kami mag-stop kasi meron pa po kaming next game eh. And importante po sa amin ‘yung mga remaining games namin kasi dun makikita kung saan kami sa apat,” said Belen.
After the UST game, NU will wrap up its elimination round against also-ran Ateneo de Manila University.
With games against two of the league’s best scorers in Eya Laure and Faith Nisperos, Solomon echoed Belen on keeping their foot on the pedal despite the assurance of making it to the semis.
“Yung pagiging part ng Final Four is siguro is bunga na rin ng hardwork namin, and ‘yun hindi rin kami magsa-stop na matuto, and improve ‘yung mga skills na kailangan pa namin iimprove,” said Solomon.
