NU captain Bella Belen. UAAP Media
MANILA, Philippines – NU Lady Bulldogs skipper Bella Belen admitted Wednesday that she's holding her teammates to a higher standard — and it's not because they're the defending champions.
A game after a shock loss against Shaina Nitura-led Adamson Lady Falcons, Belen and company bounced back bigtime as they sent hapless UE Lady Red Warriors crashing, 25-8, 25-22, 25-12, at the PhilSports Arena for their 10th win in 12 matches.
They also bucked the absence of another star, Alyssa Solomon, who missed a second straight game due to her sprained ankle.
READ: UAAP: NU vents ire on winless UE, inches closer to Final 4 bonus
Her teammates stepped up this time around, highlighted by rarely used Aisha Bello who dropped nine points anchored on eight attacks and a block. Celine Marsh also had quality minutes, delivering seven points — all in the second frame.
Belen said she personally knows the capabilities of her teammates, and that's why she expects more of them.
READ: UAAP: Shaina Nitura fires 32 as Adamson shocks Solomon-less National U
"Iba kasi 'yung tingin ko sa team namin. Kumbaga ang taas ng standard ko sa team kasi matagal ko na po silang kasama," Belen expressed.
"Matagal na kami naglalaro so ako, alam ko talaga kung ano 'yung kayang gawin ng bawat isa sa amin," she added.
For her part, Bello is ready whenever she's called up.
"It’s kind of hard but like my teammates always say, it’s all about mindset. Even though I don’t have playing time, behind here, I still play and practice," she said.
"It does not matter if I play here because everybody cannot play at the same time. For me, I put as much effort as I can during practice."
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