The NU Bulldogs were unable to defend their crown, falling to a determined Ateneo squad in 4 sets during Game 2 of their Finals rematch. Peter Torres, NU’s anchor at the middle, was unable to carry his team to a 3-peat title.
After NU lost to Ateneo in Game 1 of the Finals, Peter Torres said that extra effort was needed to overcome the rising Blue Spikers. With that said, Torres shared that the team, indeed, put extra effort in their training, but something else held them back from taking a game against the new champions.
“Nag double naman kami ng effort in terms of training, pero siguro pagdating ng crucial moments ng game, biglang nag-doubt, biglang nagkaroon siguro ng kaba, or nawalan ng tiwala sa sarili. Hindi na kasi skills yung problema. Sa ganyang part ng game, kung sino nalang mas gustong manalo. Kung sino magbibigay ng extra effort para makuha yung gusto nilang result. Siguro dun lang nagkatalo. Mas gusto kasi ng Ateneo. Kitang kita naman nung game. Gustong gusto talaga manalo,” shared Torres.
Despite the loss, Torres did not hang his head in defeat. Why should he, when he has been an instrumental part of NU’s rise in the ranks of the UAAP Men’s Volleyball?
“Para sa akin sobrang proud ako na naging part ng team. From nothing, nabigyan namin ng dalawang championship. Sabihin natin narecognize siya as one of the top teams sa UAAP. Happy naman ako na napaabot namin ng ganon. Although we lost, para sa akin siguro more room for improvement para sa akin. Siyempre hindi dun natatapos ang lahat. Meron pa akong pwedeng gawin after ng UAAP,” added Torres.
With his tenure as an NU Bulldog at an end, Tiebreaker Times asked Peter Torres what his cherished memory of the UAAP was. It did not take long for Torres to think of an answer. Peter shared that his fondest memory was their first championship back in Season 75. Failing to make the Final Four in his first two seasons, Torres was surprised that they managed to win it all in his third year in the league.
“Siguro sa akin yung first champion namin. Hindi rin namin ineexpect na ganun mangyayari. From 7th place nag 5th place, bigla kaming lumaban ng championship. Sobrang excited ako nun. Yun yung pinaka hindi ko makakalimutang moment ng buong UAAP career ko. Yan yung pinakamasaya kong experience.”
But what about his most heartbreaking experience? His biggest regret? Torres shared that the Game 2 loss to Ateneo will forever be his saddest UAAP moment. It is his saddest experience not because his team lost, but because this was the last game that he played with his teammates, and the last game that he played for NU.
“Siguro yung ngayon. Hindi ako nalulungkot kasi talo kami. Nung latter part ng game nalungkot ako kasi nararamdaman kong last game ko na sa NU, at last time kong makakasama teammates kong nakasama for five years,” lamented Torres.
What are Peter’s plans now that his season is over? Like many people after a rigorous experience, he chooses to take a breather and get some rest. But rest assured, he will return to the court once everything has settled down. “Sa ngayon pahinga muna. Puro volleyball kasi, so relax, pahinga, tapos siguro laro ulit pag ok na,” ended Torres.
