Despite winning Game 1, National University seniors Owa Retamar and Nico Almendras remain focused on the task at hand as they aim to make a golden exit and cap off their UAAP careers as champions.
The Bulldogs moved closer to securing a rare four-peat after sweeping the University of Sto. Tomas, 25-17, 26-24, 25-19, in the opening game of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Volleyball Tournament on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Yun, yung goal namin is siyempre yung mag-four-peat kami and siyempre hindi naman namin makukuha ng madali yung kung hindi namin pagtatrabahuhan,” said Almendras.
“Siyempre, bukas hanggang sa mga susunod na araw, pagtatrabahuhan pa namin kung ano pa yung mga pagkukulang namin.”
Retamar added, “Ayun nga, nasabi na ni Nico na pagtatrabahuhan namin. And siyempre UST, yung coaching staff nila magagaling din, so paghahandaan namin yung adjustment na gagawin nila.
“And siyempre mag-aadjust din kami kung ano yung pwede naming i-improve pa and kung ano pa yung pwede pa naming maging advantage sa game namin sa UST.”
Almendras delivered on both ends, scoring 16 points along with 19 excellent receptions and five excellent digs.
Meanwhile, Retamar took charge of the offense with a whopping 24 excellent sets in the one-hour, 18-minute contest, laced with five markers.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Both senior Bulldogs admitted to having trouble sleeping before the crucial contest but made sure to stay composed and channel all their energy onto the court.
“Yung totoo lang, ako kagabi pa excited. Gusto ko nang maglaro and yung gigil… Siguro kasi alam namin na malakas yung UST. Malakas sila and pag nag-relax kami, matatalo kami sa kanila,” said team captain Retamar.
“So, yung gigil, nilalabas na lang namin sa pagsigaw and kapag nakaka-score kami, doon na lang. Pero yung gigil na maka-score agad, siguro iniiwasan namin kasi doon kami mas nagkaka-error,” he added.
With the Bulldogs just a win away from securing the championship, Almendras and Retamar vow to work doubly hard as they aim to leave a lasting impression on their teammates and the entire NU community.
“So ayun, effective naman kasi nagawa namin kung ano yun goal namin. Siguro, yung nga, last na namin ni Owa – siguro yung tamang guide lang ibibigay namin sa mga bata para paglabas namin, sila naman yung magdadala,” said Almendras.
