Regine Diego believes the best is yet to come after National University opened its campaign in the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Volleyball Tournament with a hard-fought victory over University of Santo Tomas on Sunday night.
The Lady Bulldogs leaned on rookie Sam Cantanda’s late fourth-set heroics to fend off the Golden Tigresses, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, in front of 15,215 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
NU had a chance to close out the match in straight sets but faltered down the stretch, allowing UST to mount a spirited third-set stand and force a fourth frame.
“Well, truthfully, I don’t think any team is playing their best for today,” said the former Lady Bullpups head coach, who replaced Sherwin Meneses before the start of the season.
“It’s going to be a very long journey, and it’s going to be an experience for everyone. I don’t think this is our best yet, marami pa kaming pwedeng ayusin at perfectin.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Despite a few lapses here and there, Diego said the Lady Bulldogs still performed well, even after committing more unforced errors, 26-23, than the Golden Tigresses.
“But, for sure, we are going to do our best. To be better every game. Dun sa review… I think for today, we played well, but we can do better. Mga 8 [out of 10]. Still, a win is a win, and we’re very grateful,” added the former F2 Logistics coach.
Diego also emphasized that her system is largely player-oriented, designed to maximize the strengths of a roster she believes is already brimming with talent.
With the core of the squad seasoned and skilled, the first-year mentor said her role is to put the players in positions where they can thrive, tailoring schemes around what the team does best as they pursue a third straight UAAP title.
“Well, I’ve been making this team about them, so our system is not dependent on me. But I’m trying to make it, I want to make them decide what they want, what they’re comfortable with [what] they’re very good at,” she said.
“So the system is their system na nililinis lang namin. I’m not trying to make a really different change na nakakagulat na malalaki. We’re just trying to linis what they know already because everybody’s skillful na,” Diego continued.
“So tuloy-tuloy na, lahat ng matututunan nila sa lahat ng coaches. We’re trying to get the best practices, best things, so that we can still defend the championship.”
#WATCH: NO BIG CHANGES 🐶
Regine Diego is not forcing her NU Lady Bulldogs to go out of their comfort zones, adjusting her system to them 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/jDfr9jq4Wk
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/lFr1UCht2Q
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 15, 2026
