Bella Belen and the NU Lady Bulldogs in their UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball faceoff vs. the FEU Lady Tamaraws. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — National University is continuing to be as good as advertised in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.
The defending champions are currently undefeated in the young season as the Lady Bulldogs sit on a three-game win streak, and NU star Bellen understands that it has been their balanced attack that has been working wonders for them.
READ: National U overcomes five-set scare from FEU to stay perfect
“Ako naman, lagi ko namang tinitignan yung teammates ko,” said Belen following their five-set victory over Far Eastern University on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite finishing with a second team-best 21 points, Belen sat at some points during the contest when they were on the verge of their comeback against the Lady Tamaraws, and this, according to her, is a testament to her teammates’ reliability.
“Sa kanila ako naka-sandal palagi,” said the two-time MVP. “Kung darating man yung point na may nawawalan sa amin ng laro, suportahan kami.”
“Hindi man ako maka-point, alam ko andyan yung teammates ko. Yun po yung nangyari sa game kanina, kailangan lang naming mag tulungan,” she added.
This was not the first time that the Lady Tams took National U to the limit.
The Morayta-based spikers took NU to the limit despite holding a twice-to-win disadvantage in the Season 86 Final 4 as FEU forced a deciding contest before eventually exiting the tourney.
And for Belen, this just shows how the Tina Salak-led team as well as other squads are continuing to elevate their respective volleyball programs.
“Lahat ng teams ngayon, palaban eh,” she pointed out. “Tiyaka kaka-start pa lang po ng season, so marami pang pwedeng mangyari. Katulad rin namin, yung FEU, intact rin sila. Katulad po namin, yung naglaro last season, sila pa rin, so lahat may goal na mag champion.”
”Gusto lahat ng teams i-laban lahat, and ganun po yung ginawa ng FEU kanina,” added Belen.
That is why, according to Belen, it is important for National U to never get complacent if it wants to retain the title in Jhocson Street.
“Hindi namin iniisip na unbeatable kami,” she emphasized. “Sa team namin, alam namin na may kulang pa kami. Yung lahat rin ng teams, nag i-improve at tinataas pa yung standard ng laro nila.”
“Darating at darating po yung time tulad nito na macha-challenge kami sa isang team, so depende na lang kung paano namin lalabanan yung mga challenge na yun,” added Belen.
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