University of Santo Tomas boasts arguably one of the loudest crowds in the UAAP, equipped with the ever-recognizable “Go USTe!” chant.
However, on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, the National University faithful showed up in force, matching chant-for-chant, shout-for-shout with the “sea of yellow.”
The Lady Bulldogs gave their supporters every reason to be the loudest voices in the arena. They silenced the other half with a resounding 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 victory over the Golden Tigresses, moving one win away from the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball championship.
For NU outside spiker Bella Belen, she expressed their love and gratitude to the blue-clad portion of the 20,955 fans in attendance for Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Sobrang happy kami kasi talagang nakita namin yung crowd namin na pumunta talaga sila to support us. Nilabanan nila yung UST crowd kahit kanina akala namin mukhang QPav lang yung Araneta. ‘Di ba, mukhang QPav?” said Belen, referring to UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
“Pero nung nakita namin kung paano sila mag-cheer, kasi nakakatulong din sa amin ‘yun. Nakaka-boost sa amin ng energy na may mga taong naniniwala sa’min, may mga taong sumusuporta samin.”
The bark of the Bulldogs resounded loudly as they dominated the Golden Tigresses, who lost Angge Poyos midway through the second set after injuring her right ankle.
National U now has the opportunity to reclaim the crown it lost last year and secure its fourth title overall on Wednesday at 4:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
There, the Season 84 MVP hopes their supporters will turn the Pasay venue into something resembling the NU Gym.
“Sana sa Game 2 makita namin sila. Sana mukhang NU Gym naman yung MOA,” said Belen, who had 13 points and eight digs in the win.
