National University has the numbers of De La Salle University, to say the least, and in a dominant way too.
The Lady Bulldogs ransacked the Lady Spikers in the first round, 25-22, 25-15, 25-19, while repeating the next round in a sweeping fashion as well, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17.
And it was no different in Game One of the best-of-three Finals, 25-20, 25-12, 25-21, to move a win away from sweeping the entire UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament.
For super rookie Mhicaela Belen, an added boost will always be there when playing against the storied La Salle.
“For me, sobrang nag-iiba po kasi kami kapag La Salle ‘yung kalaban,” said Belen, who unleashed a game-high 15 points on 11 attacks, two service aces, and two blocks to go with 13 excellent receptions.
“Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit po,” she added with a shy laughter.
Belen then explained that going against the Lady Spikers, still coached by master tactician Ramil De Jesus, adds some juice to them.
De Jesus have won 11 championships with La Salle, not to mention his seven bridesmaid finishes in his 25 years of handling the school’s women’s volleyball program.
“Siguro po dahil ‘yung history nila sobrang like ‘yung kay Coach Ramil po diba marami na po siyang championships,” said Belen, who garnered “MVP” chants while serving earlier.
“So sa amin po mas ganado po kami kapag kalaban sila, mas eager po kaming talunin sila.”
NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan stretched the situation, praising her girls for showing up big time in big games, not just against La Salle.
The Lady Bulldogs surely were zoned in throughout the season, now standing at 15-0, and will try to make it a clean 16-0 on Tuesday, 6:30 pm.
More importantly, a win on Tuesday will give the Lady Bulldogs their first women’s volleyball title in 65 years.
“Motivated siguro itong mga players everytime ganon ‘yung kalaban, mga big games. Siguro kaya binibigay nila lahat,” said Dimaculangan, who led University of Santo Tomas in Season 71 to a 17-0 sweep while copping the MVP honors.
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