National University took a trip down memory lane to cultivate the right mindset heading into its match against the unbeaten University of Santo Tomas on Sunday night.
And those poignant moments worked to the advantage of the Lady Bulldogs as they defeated the Golden Tigresses for the first time in this UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball Tournament, winning 23-25, 25-17, 25-21, 25-20 in front of almost 11 thousand fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Of course, National U did not need to search far for inspiration, as its season began on the wrong note with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-22 shock defeat to the rebuilding UST on opening weekend.
The Golden Tigresses went on to stun the entire league, maintaining an 8-0 record before today.
“Very happy kami sa naging performance ng team kasi halos lahat talaga gustong gustong manalo since gusto naming bumawi doon sa talo namin sa kanila,” said Solomon after the two-hour, 18-minute match.
“Siguro worth it yung mga hirap before this game talaga kasi yung training namin parang wala kaming game kinabukasan, yung ganong training. Nakita naman yung pinaghirapan namin sa training na naiapply namin sa game,” she added.
(C) Mia Montayre/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
Solomon was one of three Lady Bulldogs in double digits with 17 points, including the final two points in the game to push her team to 7-2, ranking third and just a game behind the league-leading 8-1 UST.
Bella Belen was front and center with 24 points, comprising 21 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. She also contributed 13 digs and 10 receptions, while Vange Alinsug added 18 points with 14 spikes, three aces, and a block.
“Before kasi mag-start yung season gustong-gusto talaga namin manalo pero hindi namin inexpect na ganon yung performance namin nung first game sa UST. So ngayon, bumunga naman yung pinaghihirapan namin kahit minsan sa training may nalulungkot pero sobrang saya ko po ngayon,” said Alinsug, who turned emotional when asked about the bounce back win.
Belen also reflected on their loss to rival De La Salle University to end the first round in five thrilling sets, 15-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 15-12.
The Season 84 MVP felt that they didn’t give their all in that matchup.
(C) Mia Montayre/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Sa training pa lang kasi may sinet na kaming goal sa kung ano yung gusto namin sa game ngayon sa UST. Ayaw namin kasi maulit yung nangyari nung La Salle game na after game, meron kaming what ifs at panghihinayang,” said Belen.
“Siguro naging mindset lang namin dapat after nitong game wala kaming what ifs, kailangan ibigay talaga yung best namin and naging emotional po kaming lahat kasi talagang nakita namin na binigay namin yung best namin.”
Belen also observed how the Lady Bulldogs have changed since that opening day defeat, igniting something within them.
She stressed that roles and goals are now clearer for National U.
“Yung team namin ngayon feeling ko mas clear sa bawat isa sa amin kung ano yung goal namin compared doon sa round one na natalo po kami,” said Belen.
“Kasi before sa galaw pa lang namin nakikita na namin na parang hindi kami isa pero ngayon, sobrang clear ng goal sa amin na kahit anong gawin namin o kahit anong ipagawa ng coach sa amin, tanggap lang kami nang tanggap para pagdating sa game hindi kami mahirapan.”
