For the first time in over a decade, National University is realizing that its once-annual ticket to the Finals is no longer guaranteed.
Ahead of Wednesday’s matchup, the NU Lady Bulldogs found themselves third in the standings following a shocking loss to the seventh-seeded DLSU Lady Archers.
Head coach DA Olan understands this changing landscape better than most.
“We cannot live in the past. Those days are done. Iba na ngayon, we all know lahat ng team nag-improve,” he said.
For over a decade, the Lady Bulldogs made the UAAP Women’s Basketball Tournament their domain, establishing themselves as one of the league’s most dominant programs.
However, the UST Growling Tigresses have successfully challenged their supremacy in recent seasons.
Despite fielding another talented squad, NU recognizes that the competition has become increasingly tight, with every team capable of contending for a Final Four berth.
“Yung challenges na kinakaharap namin ngayon, we just have to deal with it. Hindi kami pwede umasa sa before na we were dominant. Whatever’s in front of us, kailangan lang namin pagtrabahuhin.”
Coming off back-to-back losses, the Lady Bulldogs knew their matchup against the second-seeded Adamson Lady Falcons would be crucial in determining their trajectory for the remainder of the season.
Olan stressed that there was little room for error, particularly against a team ahead of them in the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Sobrang importante, especially if we want to secure a Final Four berth. That’s the reality we’re facing right now. So yun yung challenge sa aming mga coaches and players na we really had to get this win, specifically this game,” he shared.
Sure enough, the Lady Bulldogs answered the call.
With an 84-77 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, NU snapped its losing streak. It also kept itself in contention for a favorable Final Four position and regained some much-needed momentum.
Moving forward, Olan emphasized that they must approach every remaining game with the urgency of a do-or-die matchup.
“Very crucial na talaga ‘to. We told the players this is playoff mode already. Wag na natin antayin,” he added.
“Again, we emphasized na we haven’t really secured the Final Four. Yan ang goal namin now, and hopefully may advantage kaming makuha.”
For a program as storied as NU, past accomplishments can no longer serve as a safety net.
With the Final Four race tightening, Wednesday’s victory serves as a timely reminder of what it will take for the Lady Bulldogs to remain among the contenders: treating every game as an opportunity they cannot afford to waste.
