The National University Bulldogs started their Season 77 stint with a 6-0 record and looked invulnerable in the Men’s Volleyball tournament. In a quick turn of events, the defending champions dropped four of their next five games as they lost grip of the top spot in the standings.
With the doubts pouring on the squad, the Bulldogs responded with a sweep over the FEU Tamaraws on Wednesday.
Season 75 Finals MVP Peter Torres shared his thoughts that the team feels happy about the huge win and feels confident in the next game days to come.
“Happy kami kasi medyo nagwo-work na yung pinage-ensayuhan namin at bumabalik na yung dating laro namin,” Torres said.
Prior to the sweep, the Bulldogs were shocked after a setback from the seventh-seeded DLSU Green Spikers as they got beaten in straight sets. The Season 75 Best Attacker also shared the team’s atmosphere during the losing record in that five-game stretch.
“First two loss nun is against Ateneo then next is sa UST. Sobrang nagiisip na si Coach at nagtatanong na siya kung ano bang problema kung bakit ganun yung performance ng team,” Torres stated.
Furthermore, Torres stressed that they felt like bouncing back against La Salle in that game but also admitted the overconfident nature the team had during the upset.
“Naisip namin makabawi sa La Salle, pero natalo kami despite yung effort and practice na ginawa namin. Nakaka-depress talaga siya so after nung loss na yun, hindi talaga sa mga coach yung problema, kundi samin na mga players. Na overconfident kami and masyadong nag-relax sa ensayo,” he added.
Responding to the urgency needed, NU dispatched the Tamaraws the following game and Torres joined the two other Bulldogs who poured in double-digit scoring to help bring back the way they play.
With two remaining games for the Bulldogs, the 12-2 record they had in the previous two seasons would definitely be out of reach but the door to the team’s aim for a twice-to-beat ticket come Final Four time remains very wide open.
“Ngayon yung goal namin is maipanalo pa namin yung two remaining games. Pinupush namin sa ensayo is yung pagbalik ng blocking namin and receive kasi the past games [losses] wala kami masyadong receive, wala ding blocks so bugbog talaga kami.”
Currently, the team holds an 8-4 slate and will face UE and Adamson in the remainder of their elimination stint.
