National University has already secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Final Four, but its final seeding heading into the semifinals remains undetermined.
With a record of 12-2 after their victory over Far Eastern University on Wednesday, the Lady Bulldogs can either clinch the top seed or settle for the number two spot.
It all depends on the outcome of University of Santo Tomas-De La Salle University clash on Saturday.
If the Golden Tigresses emerge victorious, NU will be the second-ranked team and will face the Lady Spikers in the semis.
Conversely, if La Salle wins, the Lady Bulldogs will claim the top spot and square off against the Lady Tamaraws in the Final Four.
However, Bella Belen and her teammates are not dwelling on their incentive; instead, they are eager to seize the initiative right from the first whistle in the semis.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Kapag narinig kasi ‘yung twice-to-beat, parang nakakagaan siya sa pakiramdam ng mga player. Pero ‘yun nga, hindi dapat kami umabot sa puntong magagamit namin ‘yung twice-to-beat,” said Belen, who tallied 12 points against FEU at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Maganda lang siyang pakinggan sa mga player na ang sarap sa pakiramdam na twice-to-beat tayo kasi parang may suporta na nangyayari, pero hindi na namin papahantungin doon,” added the Season 84 Rookie MVP.
National U is peaking at the right time, having recorded a flawless second round after going 5-2 in the first, with losses to UST and La Salle.
Head coach Norman Miguel hopes that this momentum will carry them back to the Promised Land.
(C) Nicks Hernandez/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Modesty aside, siguro medyo nasa tamang timing lang kami, pero hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax doon. Kailangan pa rin naming ingatan at ma-sustain ‘yung magandang kondisyon,” said the returning NU coach.
“Okay lang sa amin na medyo tumatiming ‘yung pag-angat ng performance namin, sana tuloy-tuloy.”
