National University needed to dig deep to dispose of inspired Adamson University in five sets in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday morning.
The Lady Bulldogs gave up the third and fourth sets to the Lady Falcons to play their first five-setter since March 4, 2020 when they survived University of Santo Tomas in a classic opener of the COVID-cut Season 82, 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 15-13.
But for NU head coach Karl Dimaculangan, it’s better for the team to experience this kind of thriller this early in the tournament, just in their second game.
“Maganda at least start pa lang naexperience na kaagad ng team yung mga nangyayari pagdating ng fifth set… Second game namin ng UAAP, marami kaming makukuha dito,” said Dimaculangan after their 25-22, 25-19, 25-27, 22-25, 15-10 escape.
“Na-force rin kami ni Adamson talaga na maglaro kung hanggang saan kami. Magandang experience din siya kasi last season walang fifth set.”
Team captain Cess Robles motivated her teammates by telling them that the Lady Bulldogs who played in the third and fourth frames were not who they really are.
Alyssa Solomon, Mhicaela Belen, Erin Pangilinan, and Camilla Lamina connived to finish the game on a 5-1 swing for NU’s second win in as many games that extended its winning run to 20.
“Sa teammates ko parang nara-rattle kami so sinasabi ko lang sa kanila na hindi tayo ito, kailangan bumalik tayo kung ano tayo maglaro,” said Robles, who had 13 points including two service aces.
“Maganda na early siya nangyari kasi nakita rin namin kung paano magadjust and kung paano namin solusyonan yung ganong bagay,” she added.
According to Dimaculangan, this tight win would serve as an eye-opener for the Lady Bulldogs.
Kate Santiago led the Lady Falcons with 20 points, while Trisha Tubu added 16 of her own. Lorene Toring also netted 12 points while Louie Romero was spectacular with 21 excellent sets to go with eight points.
“Ito na ngayon dumating kami sa fifth set siguro nagpabaya rin or kami as a team siguro kailangan din namin ito parang eye-opener yung ganitong game. Nasusubok din kami doon eh, yung patience namin,” said the champion tactician.
Alyssa Solomon led NU’s attack with 28 points, while Mhicaela Belen was all over with 23 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 12 digs.
Solomon, who tried to will the Lady Bulldogs on her own from six points down in the third, said that while this match gave them lessons, it’s on them for the next games to not reach this far.
“Sa training doon kami magpupukpok. Sa akin kasi ayaw ko na maranasan yung ganyang five sets po eh as long as kaya naman, go.”
