Last year, Mhicaela Belen had the chance to suit up for the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship.
And she, along with Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, and Jen Nierva, made sure to share that experience with her National University teammates as soon as she got home.
“Yung mga lessons na natutunan ko doon, dinala ko po dito and shinare po namin sa teammates namin,” said Belen after leading the Lady Bulldogs’ 25-15, 25-23, 25-18 opening day win against the Adamson Lady Falcons on Thursday.
“Nung pagbalik nga po namin dito, nagusap-usap agad kami kung ano yung feeling namin nung naglaro kami, ano yung natutunan namin doon and tinry po namin na iapply siya dito sa team namin and sa magiging laro namin,” she added.
National University head coach Karl Dimaculangan said that the players’ experience with the national team was vital in the Lady Bulldogs’ campaign here in the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament.
“Malaking bagay kasi yung exposure nila sa national team kasi nakaka-boost din ng morale nila yun na nakapaglaro sila ng ganung level,” said Dimaculangan, who is in his first season with NU after coaching UE in Season 82.
Aside from Belen, Lady Bulldogs such as Jennifer Nierva, Ivy Lacsina, and Kamille Kal also played for Rebisco in the AVC in Thailand.
According to Dimaculangan, the rest of the team was able to adapt to what the young guns were doing which played a very important role in NU’s build-up.
“Malaking bagay sa team, then inaadapt din ng mga kasama,” bared Dimaculangan.
“So magandang competition kasi yung nangyayari sa team and yun nga, nung dumating naman ako sa NU may culture na sila from high school na ngayong college yun na lang yung inaano namin na ma-translate hanggang college,” he added.
Belen finished with 14 points in the debut win while Lacsina had eight markers. Nierva added 14 excellent digs and nine excellent receptions.
NU will face Ateneo next on Saturday at 10:00 AM.
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