With the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball finals against De La Salle University looming, reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen vowed to do whatever it takes to help National University retain its crown.
Belen led the Lady Bulldogs to their second consecutive finals appearance after defeating Adamson University, 22-25, 25-22, 25-12, 25-15, in the Final Four at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
The reigning MVP tallied a career-high 29 points on 22 attacks, five blocks, and two aces to go along with 19 excellent receptions.
“Hindi kami papayag na maagaw samin yung korona. Paghahandaan talaga namin ‘tong finals match-up na ‘to lalo na yung kay Angel [Canino], nakalaban namin siya before and hindi maganda yung naging result para sa amin,” said Belen after the win.
“So it’s time siguro sa amin na makabawi and mapakaita yung school pride namin and mapakita sa UAAP community na gusto naming manalo this season.”
However, NU has suffered two consecutive losses to La Salle in the elimination round of Season 85, making it a challenging task to win in the finals rematch.
The Lady Spikers defeated the Lady Bulldogs in round one, 25-10, 25-15, 25-21, before taking a tightly contested second-round match-up 26-24, 26-24, 25-16 to complete their season sweep of the finals tormentor.
Despite this, Belen remains confident that the defending champions can turn things around in the finals.
“Finals na po ‘to e. Ibang usapan na. Natalo ‘man kami nung first and second round, tapos na po yun e, itong finals po for me back to zero na talaga. Dito na papasok kung sinong mas gustong manalo, kung sino yung mas gusto ‘tong season na ‘to,” said the NU lifer.
“I think balik po kami sa drawing board. Papanoorin namin yung laro nila kanina against UST and yun, katulad lang nung lagi naming ginagawa na hihimay himayin namin yung galaw nila per rotation and kung ano yung dapat i-sagot namin kada galaw nila.”
